Whipped: An Arthur Beauchamp Novel(61)
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Maclean’s, October 28
by Douglas Fellows
If recent polls are to be believed, the Tories’ divide-and-conquer strategy is paying off.
As the opposition vote continues to splinter, it increasingly appears Win Fowler may enjoy the dubious comforts of 24 Sussex Street for another four years — with a majority, if the chips fall his way.
Though only 33 percent of decided voters back the Conservatives, they may be breaking out of the pack. Last week they squeaked two points ahead of the New Democrats, who, despite a lacklustre campaign, hold at 31. Still a virtual tie, given the margin of error, but Fowler’s aggressive law-and-order theme song is being listened to in the too-close-to-call ridings.
The Tories’ crusade to keep the socialist menace at bay, blasted relentlessly over the airwaves, also seems to be having an impact.
Marcus Yates, the personable Liberal leader, is surprising pollsters by holding his own, with a recent jump to 24 percent of committed voters — a figure buoyed by his growing female fandom. But the Tories are counting on siphoning from the Grits’ once-robust pro-business element. The question is whether the Liberal left will stay with Yates or go over to the NDP, led by the more combative but less attractive Charlie Moss, with his stiff, unconvincing smile.
Pre-election talk of a Grand Coalition to defeat the Tories has softened to a whisper, and that suits Fowler just fine. His aim is to ensure there’s an ample piece of pie for everyone on the left, especially the Greens — the PM is banking on its soft vote resisting the blandishments of the NDP. In the last leadership debate Fowler almost seemed to fawn over Margaret Blake, whose party is polling at only 5 percent, as is the Bloc Quebecois.
The Tories don’t compete much with the Bloc, which will remain a presence in its Quebec bastions, but Green support is spread across the country like a thin layer of cheese-topping, and they will be lucky to retain their four seats. They’ve been riding a one-trick pony: the oil sands, unproven allegations of hanky-panky relating to the Russian energy giant, Sibericon, and its investment in the Coast Mountains Pipeline.
Speaking of the Greens and their leader, let us not be blind to the issue that dares not speak its name: a certain $50 million slander action. It remains to be seen if the controversy, which has been muted during the campaign, will damage either combatant on election day. So far, Emil Farquist is riding high in Calgary, but Blake seems in for a fight on the unpredictable West Coast.
Despite the usual breast-beating, one detects the sweaty scent of pessimism in NDP campaign offices. You can almost hear Charlie Moss kicking himself for ducking the pleas, many from within his own ranks, for a united front against a government he disdains as autocratic and in thrall to that ever-handy bogeyman, big business.
Expect a leadership contest in the NDP should the Conservative strategy succeed.
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Canadian Press, Wednesday, October 30
OTTAWA — Marcus Yates pulled off a stunning upset today as his Liberal Party rode a surge of support in the campaign’s last days, winning the federal election with 169 seats, one short of a majority.
There was jubilation in Liberal campaign offices as early results showed the Conservative and NDP vote collapsing in Atlantic Canada, with all seats going Liberal. The trend continued through the evening, Liberals gaining 145 new MPs, with representation from all ten provinces. Late polls were reporting a near-record turnout, widely believed to be due to the appeal of the charismatic young prime-minister-in-waiting.
With three seats remaining too close to call, the Conservatives will become the Official Opposition with 114 Members. The New Democrats fell to 45 seats, the Bloc Québécois took six, down from nine, and the Green Party retained its four ridings.
Prime Minister Winthrop Fowler, in his concession speech, told muted supporters he will step down as Tory leader.
Meanwhile, pundits and pollsters, nearly unanimous in predicting a narrow Conservative win, have been left scratching their heads.
THE SIERRA FILE
Thursday, October 31
Dear Arthur,
It seems I am wedded to this primeval typing machine, my wireless, unhackable Olivetti portable, for it has faithfully accompanied me to the French Riviera.
First off, let me offer congratulations to your intrepid wife for her solid and well-deserved victory in Cowichan and the Islands, and her party’s handsome showing overall in bucking the tide that brought the new government to power.
I must say I sat riveted and sleepless as I watched the polls report online. If the recount in Halifax East turns out well for the Greens, there will be more reason to celebrate. Professor Chalmers is only fourteen votes behind — hardly insurmountable.
Meanwhile, I have been two weeks in a lovely ancient stone cottage that I can’t believe has not been immortalized by Paul Cezanne. It is in a village in the hills above Nice, and rents by the week, though not exorbitantly compared to the Riviera hotels. (I have doubtless overspent in restaurants, and am feeling embarrassed.)
But now to Svetlana Glinka.
It was astonishingly easy to find her, and just as hard to get her to spill, if you’ll forgive the argot.
She has opened up a small shop on Rue de la Loges, in the old quarter. The sign on the door simply says “Intime.” A sex shop, its wares are displayed candidly behind a lattice window: lace delicates, love juices, dildos.
I lurked outside awhile with camera and notebook, watching Ms. Glinka assist a young couple. From what I could make out she was stretching what seemed a demonstration condom, displaying its strength and elasticity to her two customers.