Ignatieff: PM doesn't understand democracy

And in the "pot calling the kettle black" category...

PM 'gambled wrong' on prorogation, Michael Ignatieff says

Michael Ignatieff accused Stephen Harper today of not understanding democracy, saying the Prime Minister “gambled wrong” by shutting down Parliament.

“We have a government, we have a Prime Minister who does not understand, … does not have in his conscience, does not have in his conviction, an understanding that a prime minister is responsible to Parliament, accountable to Parliament –and it’s not the other way around,” the Liberal Leader said as he wrapped up a two-day winter caucus meeting.

True, Iggy has identified the type of abuse that prorogation represents, accountability to Parliament. However, Iggy is very short on ideas when it comes to addressing and overcoming Canada's democratic deficit. There is no response to Fair Vote Canada's challenge last week to reform Canada's electoral system. The only possible glimmer of hope that the some Liberals are starting to "get it" might be discerned from this comment.

Mr. Ignatieff added, too, that he wants to wipe from the Liberal vocabulary the phrase “natural governing party.”

Perhaps he's listening to what he wants from John Deverell's "fantasy", published on rabble.ca and reprinted in another post below - Canada goes democratic in 2010?

"Confession Two," he goes on. " I was persuaded to quit Harvard and come home by Liberals who imagined we were still the natural governing party. I saw a quick short-cut to the Prime Minister's office. I parked my advocacy of secular democratic government and chased the dream of undemocratic power.

"Confession Three," he smiles humbly. "I was deluded. It turns out my recruiters couldn't count noses. I've been getting my butt kicked. The House of Commons is deadlocked. The country faces decades of government by a party most Canadians don't trust and can't control. Something's got to change.

A lot more than terminology but maybe it's a start?