MayDay 2011: The English Debate

Overall, the English debate was pretty lame.  There wasn’t a knock-out quip and overall, it did come off as a gang-bang against Stephen Harper, something I’m afraid will play well into his hands and comments that it’s either me or them.

There were some moments:

• Duceppe to Harper:  “I would like to congratulate Mr. Harper for answering a question from a citizen for the first time during this campaign”
• Iggy to Harper:  “Mr. Harper, you haven’t earned a majority. Majorities are things you earn.”
• Layton to Iggy:  Well Mr. Ignatieff, there you go, saying that the only alternative to Canadians is your party. That’s the kind of arrogance, self-aggrandizement we’re so used to from the Liberals.
• Iggy to Harper:  You stiffed Parliament, Mr. Harper. And that’s why your government lost confidence; that’s why we’re having an election
• Layton to Iggy:  Most Canadians, if they don’t show up for work, they don’t get a promotion. … You missed 70 per cent of the votes
• Iggy to Layton: Jack, at least we get into government. You’ll be in opposition forever (ouch)
• Duceppe to Harper:  They’re saying they’re tough on crime but Mr. Harper is very soft on crime in his own office

Best quote of the entire debate:

I don’t know why we need so many prisons when the crooks seem so happy in the Senate

– Jack Layton to Stephen Harper

The worst part of the debate:  Stephen Harper’s blank and dead look into the camera instead of into the eyes of the other leaders.  Was he on drugs?

The debate didn’t change my opinion that we still need to vote strategically.