What the Liberals Need to Do

Posted on 02 February 2010

Now, I’m no expert.  I certainly don’t have all the answers, but from talking to many people recently (because my conversations almost always digress into politics) I have noticed a simple theme.  That theme is that the Liberals need to explain why they would be a better government than Harper’s and moreover, exactly what they would do if in power.

I have expressed previously my happiness about the current work the Liberal party is doing during Harper’s little vacation, because they are engaging stakeholders and presenting legitimate ideas, but now it is time to go further, much further.  They have their Thinkers Conference coming up, so I understand the reluctance to release anything too substantial at this exact point, but as soon as that is done they need to go much further than they have.

My thought is that they need to put out their ideas and policies in one simple sheet or policy book.  Inform Canadians of their main points.  Work from the starting point of “how are the Liberals going to help Canadians?”  Provide clear, concise, and well-researched policies.  This is the key.  Canadians want, and need to know, the specifics of how a Liberal government will be better for Canada than the current Conservative government.  This is currently what is missing, and from my recent conversations what is holding many people back from actually supporting the Liberals.  The Liberals need the support of these undecided voters… and to get them the Liberals need to let them know exactly why they should be voting for them.  Exactly why, provide specifics.

As a note, yes – a party can get into trouble promising too much.  If you are not able to accomplish it all it can look bad, but this is a risk the Liberals should take.  If they honestly think they can and should do something then they should put it out there.  If in the end they can’t do it (which with the experts around the table should rarely happen) they simply need to be honest about it, apologize, and move on.  Right now Canadians want ideas and this is what the Liberals should be providing us.  Honest, progressive, tangible, and feasible ideas.

The key is to get ideas out there.  This is what Canadians want, and is how a party will get votes.  Obviously, as a Liberal I have faith in the party, and I honestly feel that they are be the best party to run this country.  The Liberals need to keep in mind that there is a very large undecided vote out there and these people want to know why they should vote for a particular party – so Liberals, get on it and explain why you are best fit to govern this country, because you are… but right now people don’t know why this is true.  Tell them.

So Liberals, put together your policy book and prove you have ideas, because right now people are doubting it, and moreover don’t see why you are a good alternative to Harper.  You need to prove it.  Harper’s prorogation, and the backlash that went with it, has created an opportunity for the opposition to shine – take this opportunity and run with it.  The next election is yours to lose.  Prove you deserve it.