With cracks emerging in Conservative caucus unity on the issue, pollster Nik Nanos says the Prime Minister’s plans to reform the Senate by imposing term-limits should be a no-brainer. “First of all Senate reform has been on the radar for the Reform Party, Canadian Alliance and Stephen Harper for a very long time,” the Nanos Research president said, noting that Mr. Harper has spent his time in government creating the perfect conditions for his Senate reform proposals.
He has packed the Senate with more than 30 appointments – people he has looked in the eye and explained his “vision” for the Red Chamber, Mr. Nanos said. It appeared that he had their buy-in.
And not only does he have the upper hand in the Senate, he won a majority in the Commons on May 2. Mr. Nanos figures the Prime Minister is asking himself what more he can do?
“On appearance everything has aligned for Stephen Harper to easily deliver on one of his priorities of [democratic reform],” the pollster said. “But what we’re seeing now is some rumblings, some of which are emanating from his own caucus.”
More than rumblings – it’s a mini-revolt. A letter leaked to the media by Conservative Senator Bert Brown revealed the divisions in the Conservative caucus over these proposed reforms.
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Source: Globe & Mail
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