Dear Editor
As far back as I can remember, I have heard, at one point or another, the Liberals campaign on the left (all for the common person) during elections, but then govern on the right (all for big business) after winning an election. Previous Liberal governments have always provided at least some evidence supporting that theory, some more than others.
During this last election, I wasn't especially surprised the Liberals were definitely sounding left-leaning, but as the election moved on, I was impressed with how far to the left they seemed to be campaigning. In contrast, the NDP seemed almost as conservative as the Harper Conservatives. That may have been one of the reasons the Liberals ended up with a majority in Parliament, while the NDP slid down to third place. People wanting to see the Harper government defeated may have seen the Liberals as the best chance for a “real change,” including some who may otherwise have voted for the NDP.
Now, the time has come to see if the old theory about the Liberals turning to the right after being elected still has any validity. So far, it appears they are holding fast to election promises, even a few difficult ones. But, as the old saying goes, “The proof is in the pudding.” Time will tell. Maybe Justin Trudeau is the real thing, and can keep the Liberals actually being liberal in how they govern.
Russell Lahti
Battleford
