Election Results and NDP Thoughts

The Conservatives got the majority they wanted on Monday, while two parties that have held strong power for at least the last 20 years were decimated in the wake of it all. The Bloc has basically been destroyed, losing 45 seats (except 4 of them) mostly to the NDP. Duceppe lost his seat and quit on National Television, while Liberal leader Ignatieff didn't have the strength to quit on TV that night, but announced his resignation the next morning.

The big winner out of all of this in terms of opposition was Jack Layton and the NDP. 102 seats is quite the accomplishment for a party that had a previous high record of 43 when Ed Broadbent brought the NDP to a more recognizable party in the 1980s. But with this great accomplishment comes greater responsibility. There is a wide range of MPs now in the House of Commons, even one that is only 19 years old. These MPs are going to have to learn a lot very quickly in order to prove themselves in an environment that will rip your throat out whenever you speak a word. Layton and the crew now have the opportunity to prove to Canadians that they truly represent the people of the opposition.

Even though it is a majority government, where the Conservatives can basically do whatever they want, Canadians will be looking at Layton to make sure he does whatever he can to keep Harper in check. It will be integral over the next four years to prove the position he is now as official opposition.

There are two paths the NDP will take in the next four years. They will either prove to be a strong and evolving party that could have a strong shot at becoming the first NDP government in Canada's history, or it could falter and the NDP will return to its humble roots as the third or even fourth party. The key ingredient to stay in their new position is how they deal with the large increase of seats in Quebec.

However it unfolds, the next four years will be interesting. It is going to be four years of the Conservatives getting their agenda accomplished before the next election, the NDP to prove their ability, the Liberals to find a leader that actually touches the hearts of Canadians, and a Bloc that needs to find focus and goals that actually connect with a "new" Quebec.

Oh, and kudos to Elizabeth May for getting the first elected seat for the Green Party in the House of Commons!