Sorry it's been so quiet 'round these parts lately. To get us back in the swing of things I thought I'd offer some official Canadian Republic election predictions.
What's on the line? Well, that would be the very most precious commodity of all: pride.
Popular Vote
2006 Results
Tories: 36.3%
Grits: 30.2%
NDP: 17.5%
Bloc: 10.5%
Green: 4.5%
2008 Predictions
Tories: 39%
Grits: 25%
NDP: 19%
Bloc: 9%
Green: 7%
Seats In Parliament
2006 Results
Tories: 124
Grits: 103
NDP: 29
Bloc: 51
Green: 0
2008 Predictions
Tories: 135-140
Grits: 78-85
NDP: 32-35
Bloc: 45-50
Green: 2-4
Major Changes
Although it probably won't be hugely reflected in the popular vote, the NDP should see some major gains when the dust settles. Given the number of ridings in the last federal election which saw narrow Liberal victories (e.g. Toronto, Vancouver, etc), the NDP should have very little trouble picking up a handful of new seats.
Quebec - ever the battleground province - should finally allow Harper some gains as Grit and Bloc influence wavers in key ridings. A Mulroney-esque breakthrough is highly unlikely, but the Conservatives should still forge crucial inroads beyond Quebec City which could very definitely place them in striking distance of a majority for the next election.
I know my Tory predictions are a little conservative (pardon the awful joke). I've been talking to a lot of hopefuls who are predicting a majority this election. I'm very wary, however, of underestimating the power of strategic voting on the left. Only time is going to tell just how important a factor it turns out to be.
If you folks have any special insights I overlooked or want to share some guesses of your own, post 'em in the comments.
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