Ken notes that the not-running-against-another-party’s-newly-elected-leader custom has traditionally applied to by-elections (Harper, Day, Clarke), not general elections (May-Dion).

Well, in this case, the Liberals and/or Conservatives seem to have forgotten that tradition when Elizabeth ran in the London North-Centre by-election. (Liberals – because they were lacking a leader at the time; Conservatives – because Harper picks & chooses which traditions or obligations to follow based on his own interests).

So now the Liberals are making it up to her by not running in Central Nova next time. Seems fair enough for me, and not running against Dion in exchange likewise seems polite enough – and certainly won’t affect the outcome of that race.

All that hard work on their part has inevitably caused some frustrations and sometimes bitterness between them. Lately it’s become such a problem that we are seeing pure obstruction of the political process and time wasted pandering and posturing. These three parties, for all their past virtues, are no longer working for Canadians – they are working against each other.

The Green Party has steadily grown in support over the last 25 years, consistently polling over 10% nationally the past, has influenced the old-line parties with sound policies, and completely owns the issues of our time.Elizabeth May and the greens have proven themselves capable of fresh thinking, cooperate politics and capable leadership.

If there is even a hint of truth to anything Garth Turner speculates, it is enough to know that Canadians deserve better politicians.

If I lived in Toronto Centre I’d vote for Chris Tindal. Chris humbly points to the truth, then points back at himself and asks “What can I do to make this better?” Chris understands that bringing people together to create solutions is far more effective than casting people out. He wears the green flag well through his common sense solutions, steady planning and collaborative style.

Keep at it, Chris.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Harper#Electoral_record

Would you include instances where the Conservative and Liberal parties haven’t run candidates against each other’s leaders? Because that’s been a Parliamentary tradition. In fact, Stephen Harper himself didn’t have to run against a Liberal when he was first elected.