Why “Centrism” doesn’t quite work for us and needs to be adjusted for
Over the last week I have gotten a lot of rather angry emails and notes speaking in opposition to my thoughts written about in my blog post last week on the Liberal Party of Canada. It has to do with the issue of centrism in Canadian politics and I do not believe I have been that clear on the subject.
First of all I would like to note that there is a clear demarcation between my opinion on a party’s electoral strategy and what is required to build up the party. Particularly being a centrist party, “at the center of Canadian politics” as some politicians like to say, is a good thing because (a) that’s where most Canadians are and (b) it’s where most of the voters are. Most Canadians don’t particularly care for ideologies or any -ism so being where most of Canadians are is a pretty good thing. I think being centrist is wonderful and is the commonsense approach to politics. This is good and shouldn’t change–it’s where the voters are and where every party to trying to pick up votes. It’s the basis of the Liberal Party of Canada kicking butt in the next election.
The crux of my issue in my previous post is that being at the center does harm the party organization for elections. While being where most voters are is a great thing an issue comes up when you’re trying to get this center-vote to turn into volunteers, donors, campaign managers, or candidates. It’s the basics of party organization here is at issue. Seeing that by definition center voters are moderate and, well, non-radicalized you can’t find people that will sit at the phones for four hours a day for 365 days of the year. That type and that level of enthusiasm doesn’t exist for a majority moderate voters. As a “radical” centrist I have a similar level of dedication but I know there aren’t that many of us, although I do know a few exist in Calgary.
One of the problems of having moderate folks our target market is that these folks don’t turn into volunteers or candidates that easily. And this hurts the Liberal Party’s “iceberg” has a systemic problem of not being able to tap into that large group of voters and possible supporters.
By virtue of their policy, history, and other things, the way that the NDP reaches out to those center voters is through having a radical base–of social democrats, socialists, marxists, some unionists, malcontents, and generally angry anti-system people–and have these people creating the strength of their party to contact voters, become volunteers, donate money, and become candidates. The Conservatives do the same with different groups of people who have axes to grind with regards to government. The backbone–the base–of a party for these two parties is present and is clear, and arguably quite healthy. The Liberals don’t have the same thing.
So when I wrote about centrism not being a philosophy that will help the Liberals it isn’t that I want to say that centrism is a dead philosophy but rather centrism doesn’t build parties. We Liberals have to rely on other things to build up the framework required to push our party forward in gaining the minutiae of party organization.
My solution, as I highlighted in my previous post, was to grow/steal/find groups that do have an axe to grind with government and society… and bring them into the party. This is beyond pandering, beyond electoral gambits, and beyond policy. Brian Rice at processingpolitics.ca hits this nail on the head: it isn’t policy or top-down leadership that’ll pull Liberals out of this, but you and me getting involved. My meek addition to his thinking is that it shouldn’t only be traditional Liberals getting their hands dirty but pulling in groups to form the spine of the party.
So in conclusion we as a party needs to adjust for the reality that the party’s iceberg needs to grow/improve. In my next post I’ll identify some growth areas for us and where I have already seen some growth since May 2nd.
12 Responses to “Why “Centrism” doesn’t quite work for us and needs to be adjusted for”
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As a right-minded Canadian, I agreed with your post last week, and with this one. But surely “rebuilding” begins with philosophy. Why not begin with: what areas of public life/governance belong with the central gov’t. If Liberals can’t/won’t agree on that issue than how can Canadians trust the Liberal Party – which – in the past three-and-a-half decades has been shamelesly opportunistic about “growing” Liberal central gov’t – from Petro Canada to daycare.
MM
Hi, I am someone who believes the best way to reform Canada is to create a movement that is strong in the centre is to make sure we have a party on the centre to centre-right which is moderate conservative, for social justice, for maintaining health and education and doing conservatism right by following the British model of conservatism which is lower taxes, a moderate social safety net, following the old Progressive Conservative party, using strategies that the Europeans have followed for their conservative parties and this is the best way to revive centrism and moderate conservatism for Canada. In this way, Canada can finally have a party which is centre to centre-right that can speak for the majority of Canadians. The party is on facebook and we need 250 members to start and then this party I believe could be huge.
It is called the Centrist Party of Canada on facebook. Also, this is the way to follow the traditions which made Canada good like peacekeeping, health and education for those who cannot afford it and to maintain the social order. If Canada followed the old PC party then it would be good. It needs a good name and the Centrist Party of Canada is that party. Thank you and I look forward to comments about what I just wrote.
Also, since the Liberals are going to merge this is needed and we are looking for those who want to unite red tories and blue liberals. This would help bring Canada back to normality.
Also, I would urge people who are serious to go to facebook and check out the Centrist Party of Canada for more info.
Why Centrism Doesn’t Quite Work for the #lpc: http://t.co/b3hDh1LX RE: @justinpjtrudeau’s speech tonight. :) #ablib #yyc #cdnpoli
Excellent analysis, @vsp. Nice meeting you last night in #yyc. http://t.co/8NcyUbYp
This blog post by @vsp nails it: http://t.co/Rt7G5eKm Like it or not, centrism isn’t a winning strategy in the current state of #cdnpoli
Add first-past-the-post and a party with broad, national appeal is a dead man walking. http://t.co/7U2OtgJZ via @susandelacourt
As someone living in Ontario who briefly considered voting Liberal, I have two problems with the Liberal party: Firstly, I am disenchanted with the elitist tone of entitlement that the Liberal Party exudes. Secondly, and this is the centrist problem, Liberals don’t really stand for anything. I get the impression they will jump right or left on a specific issue depending on what is most expedient. If I ever get the impression that Liberals are interested in the concept of sharing some of what they have with those who have little or nothing (a dangerous socialist concept), I might reconsider.
Totally agree with your post. It’s extremely hard to ‘radicalize’ people who are by their very nature….moderate and compromising. THESE are the people who have stayed home in the last few elections, THESE are the people who are fed up with the negative, the smears, the constant punditry and reports of the ‘election’ that never dies……
What the Liberal party needs is to radicalize the moderates with a mission that they CAN support….namely taking back government, working with people, optimistically plan for the future with pride and hope and removing the show that Ottawa has become. On more than one occasion I have heard people who didn’t vote claim that politicians these days are on a ‘make-work’ mission in Ottawa….we pay them to do a job, but all they really do is stand around and campaign and take pot-shots at each other and worse? that’s all the media seems to be interested in reporting on when it’s policy and real-world issues that they need to be working on…..instead, it’s all used as cannon fodder for the next ‘stunt’.
I know the Liberal Party knows this, but it’s high time they hired a REAL communications team with consumer marketing background to get this message out in a way that is simple, memorable and shows the insight in a way that’s relevant BUT also backing up the TALK with the WALK in any way that we can…..doing the same thing over and over and hiring the same people over and over and expecting different results is insanity.
IF we commit to this….just how many people will wake up and realize that another protest, another petition, another poll is not going to do a thing to change a government that refuses to listen and refuses to change. REAL change comes from REAL work, not a cute soundbite, not an attack ad and not another blasted poll.
You have to wonder how many people find themselves wrapped up in a cycle of ‘angry’ from either the NDP or the Conservatives who just want to get off and back to some normalcy.
@Carolyn…..all due respect when I ask this, but you said “elitist tone of entitlement that the Liberal Party exudes”
What has been said or done specifically that says this to you? I am curious becuase it’s a comment that is steeped in history for the NDP and the Conservatives, they have been pounding this message over and over and over and yet….I don’t see any example of this happening? In fact, the more I see of the NDP in opposition, the more I would say that not only are the Conservatives feeling very entitled, the NDP is doing a pretty good job themselves of taking what they feel they ‘own’ (ie: excluding the Liberals as much as possible for debate, when they have been extended the courtesy for years and years)
I wonder….do you say this becuase you belive this to be true becuase you have heard it so many times…..or do you say this becuase you KNOW it to be true by something you have seen?
I consider myself to be a true centrist. I am center-right in monetary policy, and on social issues I consider myself to be a progressive, or center-left. I have mostly voted Liberal but have considered all parties at each election. I am not happy with extremes at either end of the political spectrum.
I am strongly opposed to where Mr. Harper is taking the country. It’s not so much his economics, but it is his disregard for democracy and for the poor of the country. Most of all, I despise his methods which so no respect for people or Parliament, which hides uncomfortable truths, which favours friends and corporations, and which tolerates lying, graft and illegal actions.
I would like to see a merger of the Liberals, NDP and Greens. That certainly stretches the boundaries of inclusiveness, and would create a lot of work for the party to sort out differences internally. But I see no other method of ensuring the complete demise of the ultra right wing of the Conservative party’s grasp on power.
I have tried strategic voting, but it is impossible to read the shifts of opinion as in the last election. In my riding, the Conservative incumbent and the Liberal began the campaign with only a couple of points between them in the polls, and a chance for the Liberal to win the riding. By the end of the campaign, the Liberals and NDP had split the vote so closely that the Conservative won handily.
Unless the parties of the centre and left come to some agreement, or either the Liberals or the NDP are polling in the 40% range, another election could bring exactly the same result.
Having said that, I will respond to any arrangement that the opposition parties create. I don’t want to struggle with where to place my vote, and have it end up contributing to a vote split. I want my vote to count in trying to get rid of the Conservative bulldozer crew.
@VSP says bring outsiders in http://t.co/1ExI0nlm
@kinsellawarren says change to reflect the outsiders http://t.co/g5G0y7qI
Good idea(s)
Why “Centrism” doesn’t quite work for us and needs to be adjusted for http://t.co/cC0uBmBT