Is it wise to go as a Centralist option in Canadian Politics

[Jersay]

Now I am planning on making a new political party in the Canadian system. But while most Canadian parties are either on the left or right of the 'Canadian political spectrum', you would hardly find a centralist party, unless you take the Liberals.

Link to party:
http://www.canadiancontent.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10997

Now for right now, the party name is Canadian Peoples Party, which some say is a socialist undertaking, or sounds socialist.

But I was wondering. In Canada's political system, is it better to try to claim to be a right-wing or left-wing party, instead of trying to claim that you represent everyone.

 

[the caracal kid]

RE: Is it wise to go as a Centralist option in Canadian Poli

if the group(s) you target are big enough, yes it is easier to focus on specific demographics.

It IS possible to represent the majority of people, but your platform will be complex and non-spectrum which requires YOU to educate the electorate (a rather dumbed-down electorate that is used to being spoon-fed simplistic spectrum platforms).

 

[Jersay]

Re: Is it wise to go as a Centralist option in Canadian Poli

if the group(s) you target are big enough, yes it is easier to focus on specific demographics.

It IS possible to represent the majority of people, but your platform will be complex and non-spectrum which requires YOU to educate the electorate (a rather dumbed-down electorate that is used to being spoon-fed simplistic spectrum platforms).

I don't think an electorate is dumb. You have to explain your position to an electorate because they don't want to have the same message repeated back at them from so many different parties or people.

However, explaining the platform to the electorate I agree is a task.

 

[the caracal kid]

RE: Is it wise to go as a Centralist option in Canadian Poli

many are not used to hearing multifaceted approaches, and i suspect it will confuse them when somebody actually steps up and says "this issue requires the government to be proactive in preventing X while also being prepared to react to the effects of X".

the greedy piggies just want what is in it for them.

 

[Jersay]

Re: Is it wise to go as a Centralist option in Canadian Poli

many are not used to hearing multifaceted approaches, and i suspect it will confuse them when somebody actually steps up and says "this issue requires the government to be proactive in preventing X while also being prepared to react to the effects of X".

the greedy piggies just want what is in it for them.

You do have a good point, many people do vote for just because they are thinking of their own personal situation, and not concerned about X factors.

 

[Freethinker]

Re: Is it wise to go as a Centralist option in Canadian Poli

Now I am planning on making a new political party in the Canadian system. But while most Canadian parties are either on the left or right of the 'Canadian political spectrum', you would hardly find a centralist party, unless you take the Liberals.

Hardly find? We have three main parties, four if you count the bloc.

Cons: Right
Libs: Centerist (I have seen those on the right call them left and vice versa)
NDP: Left

Bloc: Whatever is best for Quebec.

So it is not like there is a dearth of Centerist parties compared to others. Throw in that the Liberals have the longest record in office, one can argue that the center is well represented.

What policies will differntiate you from the liberals?

 

[Jersay]

Re: Is it wise to go as a Centralist option in Canadian Poli

Jersay wrote:
Now I am planning on making a new political party in the Canadian system. But while most Canadian parties are either on the left or right of the 'Canadian political spectrum', you would hardly find a centralist party, unless you take the Liberals.



Hardly find? We have three main parties, four if you count the bloc.

Cons: Right
Libs: Centerist (I have seen those on the right call them left and vice versa)
NDP: Left

Bloc: Whatever is best for Quebec.

So it is not like there is a dearth of Centerist parties compared to others. Throw in that the Liberals have the longest record in office, one can argue that the center is well represented.

What policies will differntiate you from the liberals?

What would make my parties policies different from the Liberals.

Good question.

However, I got a good answer for you, my party is trying to get all people from all ideologies, backgrounds and political spectrum differences to work together on all the issues in Canadian politics and try to bang out a workable solution that would please the broad majority of people.

Because with different people with different viewpoints trying to work together within a party can, a solution come.

And I thought the Liberals, played themselves off as leftist?

 

[Freethinker]

Re: Is it wise to go as a Centralist option in Canadian Poli

However, I got a good answer for you, my party is trying to get all people from all ideologies, backgrounds and political spectrum differences to work together on all the issues in Canadian politics and try to bang out a workable solution that would please the broad majority of people.

Because with different people with different viewpoints trying to work together within a party can, a solution come.

And I thought the Liberals, played themselves off as leftist?

Including ideas from all idealogies? Does this happen before or after you get elected. Because I think to get elected you will need a platform. It sounds like you merely have some vague notion of inclusion. Which is nice, but it does not make a political party. People like decisiveness. Even if they disagree with you on somethings. Elect us now and we will figure out inclusively what will do later will never fly.

The other alternative is you want to create a party and yet have no other ideas than inclusion and you will let it be some melding of ideologies. Seems to me there is no guarantee this will be centerist. It will start turning one way or the other and lefties will leave and the righties will accumulate, or vice versa.

The Liberals have always tried to have a "big tent" they tend to be painted as left by conservatives or right as the left. Whenever I say the Liberals are center left I always get people telling me they are actually economically to the right...

I think ideas of inclusion would be better served by Proportional representation and then have governing coalitions to work toward compromise that best represents the people of Canada when the house of commons proportionally represents the people of Canada.

 

[FiveParadox]

RE: Is it wise to go as a Centralist option in Canadian Poli

Jersay, a word perhaps on the Canadian Peoples Party — would all votes be "free?" The people of Canada, the electorate, might expect that party members be bound to vote one way or another on certain issues, particular if someone is elected to the House of Commons.

For example, for a Member from your party to cast a vote in opposition to a Budget from the Government, particularly one seen favourably by the people, would reflect badly upon the party as a whole.

Would some issues still remain at the discretion of the Party Leader and the Party Whip?

 

[Jersay]

Re: Is it wise to go as a Centralist option in Canadian Poli

Jersay, a word perhaps on the Canadian Peoples Party — would all votes be "free?" The people of Canada, the electorate, might expect that party members be bound to vote one way or another on certain issues, particular if someone is elected to the House of Commons.

For example, for a Member from your party to cast a vote in opposition to a Budget from the Government, particularly one seen favourably by the people, would reflect badly upon the party as a whole.

Would some issues still remain at the discretion of the Party Leader and the Party Whip?

Like most parties, I believe, issues that a majority of party members and Canadians feel is benefitial to themselves will be controlled by the Party Leader or the party whip as you call it.

 

[Jersay]

Re: Is it wise to go as a Centralist option in Canadian Poli

Including ideas from all idealogies? Does this happen before or after you get elected. Because I think to get elected you will need a platform. It sounds like you merely have some vague notion of inclusion. Which is nice, but it does not make a political party. People like decisiveness. Even if they disagree with you on somethings. Elect us now and we will figure out inclusively what will do later will never fly.

The other alternative is you want to create a party and yet have no other ideas than inclusion and you will let it be some melding of ideologies. Seems to me there is no guarantee this will be centerist. It will start turning one way or the other and lefties will leave and the righties will accumulate, or vice versa.

The Liberals have always tried to have a "big tent" they tend to be painted as left by conservatives or right as the left. Whenever I say the Liberals are center left I always get people telling me they are actually economically to the right...

I think ideas of inclusion would be better served by Proportional representation and then have governing coalitions to work toward compromise that best represents the people of Canada when the house of commons proportionally represents the people of Canada

Well, actually, I am working on a platform for my party. And when I have party members, which is open to anyone from any ideological or political spectrum of this Canadian society, then we would work together to gel it together to make most people within the party happy.

So that is what I consider a centralist party. Get people from all the political spectrum and try to work out a platform that benefits all people, or most at least, is truly centralist I believe.

 

[FiveParadox]

RE: Is it wise to go as a Centralist option in Canadian Poli

Heh, once I send in my registration, can I be Chair of your British Columbia caucus?

Haha, I'm only kidding.

A platform would be a definite necessity; and I would be interested in seeing a draft, whenever you might have one, and perhaps offering my own two cents. If that would be okay, of course.

 

[Jersay]

Re: Is it wise to go as a Centralist option in Canadian Poli

Heh, once I send in my registration, can I be Chair of your British Columbia caucus?

Haha, I'm only kidding.

A platform would be a definite necessity; and I would be interested in seeing a draft, whenever you might have one, and perhaps offering my own two cents. If that would be okay, of course.

Absolutely. I have started writing the platform. And when i am complete it I will be sending it out to all party members. And if you have any comments or suggestions, I would be happy to hear them all.