This blog has helped me clarify my understanding of strategic voting and how it can work for me in this election.
There are about 50 seats where it will be decided whether or not the Conservatives form the next government. Here is a link that discusses this issue with respect to climate: http://www.voteforclimate.ca/map.php
My riding of Northumberland--Quinte West is one of these swing ridings. Our current MP is Conservative Rick Norlock. The two previous MPs were Liberal Paul Macklin and Liberal Christine Stewart, who was Minister of the Environment.
I have voted for the Green Party not only to elect members, but also to force other parties to adopt a green agenda. The carbon tax proposed by the Liberals is sufficiently climate-friendly to qualify as a green agenda.
In the 2006 election, the Conservatives won by 5.2% over the Liberals. The Green party received 4.7% of the vote in that election. If enough NDP/Green supporters vote Liberal in this election, the Conservatives will lose this seat.
So, unless something changes in this riding, I should vote Liberal, eh? Or what??
3 Comments
Hey William, This is an excellent link that you provided. I think you should not only vote liberal but you should also work to ensure that the liberals get votes from Conservative, NDP and Green party voters. I'll be using the vote for climate email list to get information on how to do door to door campaigning AGAINST the conservatives in my riding, Thunder Bay Superior, because my riding is also a swing riding. Good luck my friend!
I was thrilled to find out about votetheclimate.ca
I started a web site for Project ABC — at anythingbutconservative.com — and I've been working to provide Canadians with real information in Canada's sorry environmental record, and how we don't have to choose between the climate or the economy. By saving one, we can save the other!
So I've been looking for help so I can overcome a serious problem with my site... How to convince Canadians to vote strategically so that a vote for the four opposition parties doesn't splinter, and allow more Conservatives to sneak through in the election.
So I've written to the V4C web site, and I hope that we can work together to see fewer Conservatives elected. Together we are mighty!
Thank you, William! That's exactly what I needed! Unfortunately, I don't live in one of the key regions. My district has been secured by Bloc for many years and this one is no exception. BUT I know a few people who does!