More on the PM's blink

Without coming right and saying it, PM Stephen Harper blinked with his late date proposal for MPs to work through their spring breaks. This will require consent from the other parties who have challenged the PM to re-open next week. The Liberals agreed. Not sure about the NDP. Harper blinked but he hasn't caved. He's not going to open early. Here's a good analysis by Susan Riley at the Ottawa Citizen.

One trick too many

The latest gambit is a challenge to the other parties to work through scheduled breaks in March and April because "there is so much to do." If there's a lot to do, it is because Harper needlessly extended everyone's Christmas break -- not that he would ever admit that.

Instead, he is back to "treating Parliament like his playhouse" according to early online reaction, back to strategy over substance, revenge over reconciliation.

And, again, he is treating voters like idiots.

Don Martin from the National Post also looks at Harper's cynical backtracking compounded by gaffes from various cabinet ministers.
Harper all but admits mistake on prorogation

While some call it smart politics, the government's sudden push to cancel two weeks of spring recess after Parliament returns in March reeks of panic-laced desperation...

Perhaps the realization they'd been too-smart-by-half is reflected in amateur-hour mistakes which run counter to the Conservative's cool disciplined style.

The Globe and Mail agrees that Harper blinked and suggest he may have learned his lesson. They want to move on but acknowledged that it was reaction from the voters which turned the tide.

Lessons Learned

Stephen Harper's elimination of spring break won't undo the damage, but it is tacit admission outrage expressed by Canadians has resonated in Ottawa.

A precedent has been set: Politicians disregard Parliament at their peril.