Confidence of the House

Much has been made of the idea of a coalition--with Stephen Harper trying to inflict fear into our hearts at the thought of one, despite evidence that he negotiated with the Bloq and NDP in 2004 to put one together against the Liberals back then.  But never mind that.  Stephen has denied it, and Stephen would not lie.  Stephen says a coalition would be bad, and we should believe him.

After all, getting back in with a minority would be a real headache for the man.  In our system of democracy, if he wins the most seats, he would be allowed first crack at leading the government.  But he can only do this WITH THE CONFIDENCE OF THE HOUSE.  Unlike in the States, where voters choose their president, we do not vote for a prime minister, though the ludicrous and insulting attack ads, "A vote for the Liberals is vote for Ignatieff," create the false idea that we do.  It serves Harper's purpose for us to think we're voting directly for him, but we are not.  He may behave as though all power resides in him--and this thought should certainly scare us more than it seems to--but according to our constitution, it does not.  The House of Commons, the house of all of us together, rules the day.

What Harper is really worried about is that the House will NOT give him their confidence should he be returned with a minority.  We are going to the polls because the House of Commons does not have confidence in the Harper government.  I do not have confidence in it either, so I am glad the House does not.

So what are we to do if Harper wins the most seats but not a majority?  Have another election?  Clearly not realistic.  What then are the alternatives?  Would the Harper-appointed Governor General ask Ignatieff to form a government instead, and would that party be able to gain and keep the confidence of the house?  Should Ignatieff consider a coalition with a division of executive powers despite having said he wouldn't?  Or simply go it on his own?

Either option seems a whole lot more plausible than that Harper could stand up in the House again with a minority, and he knows it.  Knows it and is afraid.  That's what this election is really about.

And ultimately, everything comes down to the manner in which our democracy has been shaped and formed into a constitution that is played out in our institutions of governance.  May our democratic ship of state hold firm in this storm.