The past week has been difficult for the Liberal caucus. Dominique Anglade tried to hold the helm in the storm, but the impression of dislocation in an already weakened party reached the public.
At the start of the parliamentary session in Quebec, I was talking about this competition between the opposition parties to take the place, to become the real alternative. Normally the Liberal Party should have a natural advantage, being the official opposition. However, the difficulties of this party among francophones are such that it must fight to retain its title of natural alternative to government.
Solidarity Quebec
The first threat to the Liberals comes from Québec solidaire. This week, the contrast is dazzling. While the Liberal caucus was bleeding, Québec solidaire was stepping up its initiatives. While the Liberals waste their time and their opportunities by imitating the discord of a henhouse, the elected representatives of Québec solidaire are working the land like ants.
In the last week, QS launched a poster campaign against the Quebec-Lévis tunnel. Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois and Catherine Dorion made the announcement with great fanfare, then the people of Quebec saw signs appear.
The point of Québec solidaire is clearly exaggerated on the third link. But his message is targeted and targets exactly the voters they want to win over. The party, its deputies and its militants are in action and in the fight.
During the weekend, the deputy Christine Labrie of Québec solidaire toured the media proposing a strategy in schools against sexual violence. A topical subject, close to people, and an effective spokesperson, she has obtained significant visibility.
I am far from saying that individual Liberal members do not work or present valid files. But when the chicane is in the cabin, it is this sad spectacle that finds itself in the foreground. And the good moves pass into oblivion.
Warning to the PLQ
What I am saying to the Liberals is that weeks like this they cannot afford too often. Not only do they considerably damage the image of their already damaged party, but they leave the field open to their opponents.
Dominique Anglade will be able to point the finger at some of his deputies who complicate his life. Members of Parliament will in turn be able to transfer the blame to their leader, who does not rise in the polls and lacks dexterity in the management of the caucus. It does not lead to anything. They have to remember that if they sink, they will sink all together.
The only solution is to tune their flutes and bravely cling to a common game plan. Since there is no question of changing the chef at this time, the only logical thing is to rally behind Dominique Anglade and work harder.
The timing is critical for the PLQ. At around 10% support among Francophones, it is the minimum threshold that still allows reconstruction. At the bottom of that, they got out of the game.