Thin Lizzy

I recently overhead a colleague waxing about how well she thought Elizabeth May has faired in this election. It's certainly a lovely sentiment, albeit a completely inaccurate one – but you all saw that coming I’m sure.

First, you have this string of nifty little campaign ads with May on the train and talking about issues like the Economy and Nature. There’s even one about Grassroots Democracy in which she claims that all the other parties have lost track of what elections are about and how they’re too focused on packaging instead of message.

While I tend to agree with her, I find it a tad hypocritical for someone to talk about “grassroots” elections and then turn around and say she doesn’t care if her party gets any seats, as long as Stephen Harper doesn’t get any.

Now I’m no friend to Harper – I hope I’ve made that abundantly clear in this spot (I have, haven’t I?), but if you’re big plan is to keep Harper out then why not join another political party to push your message? If your sole aim is to keep the Conservatives from winning – as she fairly implied that it was – then just pack up your campaign and back Jack Layton or Stephane Dion.

Second is her riding of choice, Nova Central, which has brought us the father/son team of Elmer and Peter MacKay. This has been a staunchly Conservative riding going back to 1968, straying only once in 1993 and electing a Liberal. Oh, and did I mention that Nova Central was Brian Mulroney’s riding right before he became Prime Minister?

Eliabeth May could have easily parachuted herself into a riding that would have been more favourable to her message, but she chose Nova Central because it’s where she was raised.

Now for those you think parachuting is an unethical or disingenuous way to get yourself a seat in the House of Commons, I say so what? You can either be a morally sound person on the outside looking in, or you can find favour with those who genuinely support you and make some changes from your seat in the House of Commons.

Besides, this altruistic streak of running against adversity contradicts her previous statement of “Anyone but Harper."

None of this should be seen as knock on the Green party – I think they have some great ideas and our entire parliamentary system is built on the idea of multiple parties. If nothing else it makes for some diverse and pretty lawn signs. But when the NDP are actually making a climb for the first time in years, and when the Liberals are a mere 5% behind the Conservatives, suddenly that 13% of voters that the Green party is hanging on to seems very valuable.

Almost enough to get rid of the Harper-bot once and for all!