30 May When Tory votes break free

In describing the uncertainty around the June 9 election this morning, CBC Radio’s Jean LaRoche said many voters would abandon the Tories, and most of those votes would of course go to the Liberals. This is conventional wisdom, based on a left-right spectrum that runs from the NDP, through the Liberals, to the Tories. There’s a good chance it’s wrong.

First, in Industrial Cape Breton, the traditional pattern is that when Tory votes break free they usually go to the NDP, and vice versa. The reasons for this lie deep in the murky recesses of the island’s labor history.

Second, NDP leader Darrell Dexter is essentially running as a Progressive Conservative. His website is Tory blue. He’s against deficits and in favor of families. He looks and sounds as comfortable as a Teddy bear.

There’s a story they tell in Victoria County about the time Dan Murdoch came to visit his old buddy John Rory in hospital.

“I’m afraid I’m done for,” says Rory.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” says Dan Murdoch, “but I hope the other thing I heard about you isn’t true. Have you joined the Grits?”

“Yes I did,” admits Rory. “I figured I’d rather one of them buggers died than one of us.”