Political scientist and lecturer @UBCpolisci. I teach and talk international relations, and comparative, BC, Vancouver, and Canadian politics. Dad jokes.
Mar 21, 2022 • 12 tweets • 4 min read
I ran a straw poll of my students in class today. Virtually all wanted to be able to buy a home at some point; virtually none thought they would be able to.
Any party that fails to address that level of frustration will be in the political wilderness for a generation or more.
Of course, it's easier said than done. Half the population wants to see more affordable homes, while the other half—the half that owns—wants to see prices stay high, and parties know it.
Thus, parties try to find a middle ground where none exists, and prices continue to rise.
Sep 16, 2021 • 14 tweets • 3 min read
So, my new working theory of the Canadian federal election is that it has been an election in which every strategy failed. The outcome will shaped by who failed last and worst. (#cdnpoli#Elxn44 thread).
In a number cases, the failure was based in a potentially valid theory of politics that fell short in execution.
Andrew Scheer was already drinking his celebratory glass of milk by now back in 2017.
Feb 19, 2019 • 8 tweets • 2 min read
A few thoughts on the JWR/SNC Lavalin situation. IMO the Lib leadership's core miscalculation in the handling of the situation (aside from whatever original pressure was applied) was to look at JWR as just another Liberal MP.
Typical MPs draw legitimacy from party roles, and, absent party endorsement, have little external authority. JWR has authority that beyond her roles in the party and govt, however, and that gives her this option to push back against what she sees as shabby treatment (or worse).
Nov 2, 2018 • 11 tweets • 2 min read
So I thought it was time to do a thread on the BC proportional representation referendum. My general take is that there is no perfect system, and it's always going to be a question of tradeoffs. The thing voters need to think about is, what kind of democracy do they want? 1/
E.g. representation: do you like the idea of having a single local representative who represents your part of the province even if you don't agree with them? Or do you care more about seeing someone who shares your views in the leg, even if that local relationship is diluted? 2/
