Building Blocs

Here’s a thought I had this morning while reading the latest poll numbers published in today’s Globe and Mail. With the Liberals staring down an almost unanimous defeat in Quebec (it would be something if even Martin lost), what happens when the next government is formed with regard to Cabinet Ministers?

Assuming for a moment that the Liberals are returned with a significantly reduced minority (and devastation, or near devastation in Quebec), they might be faced with the unpalatable position of putting completely green MP’s from La Belle Province in a Cabinet position. Perhaps though, in a strange twist, could they or would they consider Bloc members for cabinet in an effort to placate Quebecers next time round? That certainly would be a sticky situation for Martin, and one Harper could more easily ignore were he tapped for the next PM.

With the base of support for the Conservatives outside Quebec Harper could justify Cabinet positions going to all other regions of Canada, and of course fall back on the reasoning that he refuses to make a separatist a Cabinet Minister. While that rationale is an option for Martin too, he has to decide which is worse: facing a Bloc Minister in his own Cabinet meetings, but keeping some segment of Quebec happy, or ignoring the province that has been a bastion of support lo these many years.

GL