[haljackey]

This is a place to discuss the 2011 Federal Election for London and area.

London has 3 ridings in the city, with a total of 10 within it's "Metro" area.

I'm in the London West riding. I have no idea who I'm going to vote for at this point. It doesn't help when there's two Fergesons running here (Doug Ferguson is the Liberal candidate and Peter Ferguson is the NDP guy).
-The Incumbent is Ed Holder. I don't connect well with the Conservative Party so I haven't really looked into how he's doing but by the looks of it he's doing an ok job.

I have lost nearly all faith in the party leaders so I'm looking at the local candidates to help me make up my undecided mind.
-Harper's been doing a good job getting us through this global recession/turmoil, but we've had to keep him on his toes so his Minority government could function. If the conservatives win another minority, I don't think much will change, so he's the status-quo guy. I am fearful of a Conservative majority though... I don't want him with that much power.
-Iggy doesn't connect with me and apparently most Canadians. Gotta see where he runs with his issues but the way he's handling this coalition stuff ain't a great start.
-Layton looks frail. I don't want him to represent Canada on the world stage, to be honest. His party seems to want to to work with others to get things done. I like that, but they shouldn't work with the Bloc in my opinion.
-May scares me. Simple as that.

Ok I think I'm done ranting for now lol.

[manny_santos]

I live in London West and will be voting for Doug Ferguson (Liberal). Although I have known Ed Holder for years and think he is a great local leader, I cannot support the Conservative Party.

[Wharn]

I live in London North Centre, and I'll likely be supporting Susan Truppe (Conservatives). I don't know much about her but from what I've heard she's lived in London for about 30 years and she's active in the private sector. She sounds like the kind of candidate I'd want to throw my vote behind (I don't like career politicians), although I will definitely need more research before making a decision. It may be a moot point though, because with all the students and university employees in this riding, a Conservative candidate is unlikely to be elected.

[MolsonExport]

I live in London West and will be voting for Doug Ferguson (Liberal). Although I have known Ed Holder for years and think he is a great local leader, I cannot support the Conservative Party.

my view/intentions as well.

[haljackey]

with all the students and university employees in this riding, a Conservative candidate is unlikely to be elected.

Ah but the university students will be gone by early May... so that may change the vote. I've always liked Pearson myself and North-Centre has been a Liberal riding ever since it was created.



Seen here for Federal Election 2011 London Candidates: http://www.lovelondon.ca/forumdisplay.php?29-Federal-Election-2011

[manny_santos]

Ah but the university students will be gone by early May... so that may change the vote. I've always liked Pearson myself and North-Centre has been a Liberal riding ever since it was created.



Seen here for Federal Election 2011 London Candidates: http://www.lovelondon.ca/forumdisplay.php?29-Federal-Election-2011

I wouldn't be surprised if advance polls gets held at UWO and Fanshawe.

[Highinthesky]

I don't see this election changing anything really. Put me as a believer of this election producing another conservative minority.

On the local side maybe we get some promises of more money for cities and this time around with Joe at the helm London might take better advantage of that money. Nothing more than a pipe dream at the moment though

[Pimpmasterdac]

I don't see any changes happening in London area ridings either. London-West & Elgin-London will still be CPC. North-Centre has always been Liberal, and Fanshawe is either NDP or Liberal, most likely to be NDP still.

I doubt Fontana will be able to leverage anything for London on the federal level. Sure he was an former MP & junior cabinet minister, but he has no connection to Iggy if the Liberals somehow won and with the result likely being a CPC minority I don't see how his former Liberal membership would help London on the federal level! Unlike TO with its "Ford Nation" and its promising to kick McGunity out unless it gets some more handouts, Fontana doesn't have any such devoted following.

As long as we have a MP in the governing party, I'm sure London will get its beak wet on any handouts ;)

[Wharn]

As long as we have a MP in the governing party, I'm sure London will get its beak wet on any handouts ;)

No, all our money will still be handed off to Quebec while Duceppe bitches about how how his province is being screwed by the federal government. We seriously need to start the "Please Help London, Ontario" Party. Then we'll finally be able to employ a model similar to the BQ's but on a much, much smaller scale.

I wouldn't be surprised if advance polls gets held at UWO and Fanshawe.

They'd land smack in the middle of exams, so expect a turnout that you could count on both hands.

[manny_santos]

No, all our money will still be handed off to Quebec while Duceppe bitches about how how his province is being screwed by the federal government. We seriously need to start the "Please Help London, Ontario" Party. Then we'll finally be able to employ a model similar to the BQ's but on a much, much smaller scale.



They'd land smack in the middle of exams, so expect a turnout that you could count on both hands.

Fanshawe is done exams on April 21, so it could theoretically be done.

[Simpseatles]

So I guess the N.D.P. candidate in my riding (Elgin-Middlesex-London) dropped out of the race, and decided to put his support behind the liberal candidate. I suppose his thinking was that there might be a better chance of ousting the incumbant conservative Joe Preston, with most left leaning voters then voting for the liberal candidate.

I'm somewhat perplexed by this decission. On one hand, I like the idea of any chance that Preston will lose, and therefore help stop the conservatives from forming a majority. But on the other hand, this is mostly rural, right wing country, so I'm not sure it'll really matter. Also, the idea of not having the N.D.P. represented would be a real shame, considering that they are a major party, with numerous supporters, and a different viewpoint from the Liberals. It does not matter to me personally, since I'm below voting age and still trying to find what parties represent my viewpont (although I do know I dislike the Conservatives).

On a side note, It's neat to hear that Germany just elected their first Green Premier. Apparently people are saying the win can be partly attributed to Japan's nuclear disaster, and the revolt people are having against the energy source. Any chance of that happening in Canada you think? I think May should be included in the debate at least.

[haljackey]

:previous:

Iggy is coming across that all votes for NDP, Green and Bloc are a waste and that they have to vote Liberal to oust Harper. Looks like your NDP candidate fell under Iggy's spell and withdrew out of fear that Preston will be re-elected. I don't like that. People should be able to vote how they feel.


Regarding May, I think she'll get into the debate. She got kicked out last time yet she got in. It will happen again, especially since she got more votes last election

Speaking of the devil, I find it disheartening that the Greens got nearly a million votes last election and have 0 representation in parliament. That's wrong, that's why parliament's broken and no politician is doing anything about it.
-To further this, the NDP got about twice as many votes as the Bloc and yet the Bloc has more members in the house than the NDP.

[Pimpmasterdac]

While her parties ideas are a mix of environmental protection with a decent knowledge of business friendly policies, its a futile effort.

Green won't win a seat, they won't be an official party after the election again. I'd rather have a debate feature the relevant candidates that will play a role in the next parliament.

The 2008 debate seemed so unorganized and forced with 5 people bickering and arguing with one another that I didn't come away with anything from the debate, just mud slinging from all sides. I'd rather it be the big 3 nations, CPC, Libs, NDP. Bloc shouldn't be in the english debate their a regional party that 75% of the country can't vote for!

Iggy and Harper are suppose to have a one on one debate which would be awesome and relevant for a chnage. Having the two big boys debate, one of which will form the next government is good and should be a interesting comparison to US Presidential debates!

[haljackey]

Iggy is supposedly going to be at the Lamplighter Inn tonight at 7 to show support for Liberal candidates in London.

I see a chance they could retake London West, and retain London North-Centre, but that's about it. That is, unless the move by the NDP guy in London-Middlesex-Elgin to withdraw and support the Liberals sways voters the right way. I'm sure Iggy will mention that tonight.

I think London-Fanshawe will be mostly a Con-NDP battle.

[manny_santos]

Iggy is supposedly going to be at the Lamplighter Inn tonight at 7 to show support for Liberal candidates in London.

I see a chance they could retake London West, and retain London North-Centre, but that's about it. That is, unless the move by the NDP guy in London-Middlesex-Elgin to withdraw and support the Liberals sways voters the right way. I'm sure Iggy will mention that tonight.

I think London-Fanshawe will be mostly a Con-NDP battle.

I think London-Fanshawe will be a Liberal-NDP battle, because of Roger Caranci. Like him or not, he's got name recognition.

I think London West is going to be a close one.

[haljackey]

The London Conservative rally in a nutshell:

o6hDv6gCe1I

[manny_santos]

I'll be interested to see how the controversy will affect the Conservatives' performance, especially in London where the incident occurred.

[MolsonExport]

I am really surprised at how aloof Harper has been during this edition of electioneering. If I were him, I wouldn't be treating the electorate with such a cavalier attitude. It's his to lose...and he just might at that, in the form of a Liberal/NDP/Bloc coalition. I hate the idea of a coalition, but not nearly enough to vote Cons.

At heart, I am a social liberal and a fiscal conservative (these are not at all incommensurable...balance the books so as to pay for social goodies like education, etc.). Hence, a Chretien/Martin Liberal.

[haljackey]

I think I might support a Lib-NDP coalition. It's including the BQ that scares me.

Hopefully the Libs and NDP win enough seats to form a majority together, but I'm highly doubtful that will happen.

[haljackey]

Interesting article in the London Free Press today:

Tories vulnerable in London West: prof

DECISION 2011: ED HOLDER FACING CHALLENGES ON HUSTINGS

By RANDY RICHMOND, THE LONDON FREE PRESS

http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2011/04/11/17945671.html

Hundreds of jobs at stake. A teen kicked out of a rally. Refusal to attend a health-care debate.

The challenges facing federal election Conservative candidates in London mirror a bumpy start to a national campaign that, left uncorrected, could see Stephen Harper in trouble and one city riding switch MPs, says a political scientist.

"Single issues, single events are not likely on their own to make a difference," said the University of Western Ontario's Paul Nesbitt- Larking.

But a series of issues, plus a potential change in Ontario voting patterns could spell trouble for the Conservatives, he said.

"Once you string three, four, five, six of these things together people begin to get a narrative and it is not the narrative the Conservatives want if they want to win a majority."

If there's a London riding where the local issues and national trends might play out, it's London West, he added, "In a sense, all three ridings are in play, but I think the energy, the effort has been put into London West by the two national parties," Nesbitt-Larking said.

Liberal Glen Pearson, MP in the last Parliament, is expected to keep his seat in London- North-Fanshawe and NDP Irene Mathyssen the same in London- Fanshawe, he said.

But Conservative Ed Holder won by only 2,000 votes in the 2008 election in London West, a riding that has had its share of swings over the years.

Holder did not return a request for an interview Friday.

Here's a look at the issues, local and national, making the race between him, Liberal Doug Ferguson, New Democrat Peter Ferguson, and Green party candidate Brad Corbett a lively one.

Diamond Aircraft

The company is located in London-North-Fanshawe, but Conservative candidates across the city felt the heat after the Liberals alerted the media to a $35-million loan request held up by the Harper government. Diamond laid off 213 workers over uncertainty because of the loan.

Then, last Friday, the story heated up even more when Holder said Diamond owner Christian Dries has threatened to shutter the plant if the loan doesn't come through. Dries denied making the threat.

The Facebook fiasco

Who would have thought a London teen getting her photo taken with Ignatieff could derail, for a week at least, the Harper campaign?

Awish Aslam was turfed from a Stephen Harper rally a week ago after organizers saw her Facebook photo, taken a few days earlier, with the Liberal leader.

Her story, first reported in The Free Press, exploded on the campaign trail where reporters had already been grumbling about the Harper campaign's fortress-like mentality.

A series of run-ins with students has left the impression Harper is out of touch and trying to clamp down on democratic debate, Nesbitt-Larking said.

"To the extent they continue to shun and treat people with suspicion, the Conservatives are going to be in trouble," he said.

At a rally in Hamilton recently, Conservative organizers changed their minds and let members of a student get out and vote rally inside a campaign function.

"I think that was a very wise decision," Nesbitt-Larking said.

The health-care debate

Holder has refused to join an April 20 debate on health care by the London Health Coalition. According to a coalition news release, Holder replied by saying health care is not a federal issue.

"I think it was tactical error not to attend that," Nesbitt-Larking said. "It is another example of a party . . . that feels it is doing everything right already and doesn't want to listen."

Strategic voting & the NDP

Polls are showing Ontario voters are starting to leave the NDP and Green party to support the Liberals, Nesbitt-Larking said.

At the end of March, New Democrat candidate Ryan Dolby shocked his party by withdrawing from the race in Elgin-Middlesex- London and throwing his support behind the Liberals.

The Tories said it was an example of the Liberals and NDP wanting to create a coalition.

The issue died, but it could be a sign some in Ontario are willing to do what it takes to keep Harper out, Nesbitt-Larking said.

Liberal strength

"There was a sense in the last election a dispirited Liberal electorate just didn't show up," Nesbitt- Larking said. "The question is will they come back?"

If the Liberals show up in force, and NDP supporters switch their vote, London West could go back to become a Liberal seat, he said.

[MolsonExport]

I hope to be a part of the vote that puts a liberal MP in London-West.

[manny_santos]

:previous:

Interesting article. I know myself I voted for Holder last time and this time I will be voting for Doug Ferguson.

London West has a high immigrant population, especially in the Westmount area originating from Colombia, and the Conservatives have done themselves no favours in how they have treated the Latin American population in general since they came into power - one of several reasons I've taken an anything-but-Conservative attitude to this election. I think Holder will have a tough time getting re-elected, not because he's a bad candidate, but because of his association with the Conservatives.

[haljackey]

The ultimate question is if the Conservatives get a majority and there's no Conservative MP in London, does that mean London will suffer at the hands of the federal government?

Polls show they could attain a majority, but they're just polls. I predict another minority, but the Conservatives could have more seats/power than they do now.

Either way, Doug's getting my vote. He hasn't made any mistakes in his campaign so far, and he's even got in touch with me on Twitter. Ed Holder has made several mistakes so far and that's going to bite him in such a tightly-contested riding.

[haljackey]

Wow my riding of London West is in super-tight contention!

See here: http://www.projectdemocracy.ca/london-west

This could be a Liberal swing-seat if the NDP and Green supporters prop them up.

[manny_santos]

Wow my riding of London West is in super-tight contention!

See here: http://www.projectdemocracy.ca/london-west

This could be a Liberal swing-seat if the NDP and Green supporters prop them up.

Holder probably lost a lot of votes yesterday after his flop performance at an all-candidates debate, while Doug Ferguson and Irene Mathyssen shined. The audience was mostly seniors, and as we all know, seniors tend to vote.

http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2011/04/18/18037031.html

I've met Doug Ferguson and he is approachable and has real vision about how to bring back Canada's respectability in the world. I knew Ed Holder long before he ran for office and he was once a respectable man, but now he's nothing more than a puppet for King Harper. Last time I talked to Holder he seemed totally clueless about the issue I was talking to him about. I've heard the same thing about him writing to another constituent about a different issue.

[MolsonExport]

Met both (Ferg is here at UWO). Holder seems decent, but I can't vote for the Tory platform.

[manny_santos]

Wow my riding of London West is in super-tight contention!

See here: http://www.projectdemocracy.ca/london-west

This could be a Liberal swing-seat if the NDP and Green supporters prop them up.

There is something fundamentally wrong with this projection: The Bloc Quebecois are projected to win 114 seats in London West.

[Wharn]

Wow my riding of London West is in super-tight contention!

See here: http://www.projectdemocracy.ca/london-west

This could be a Liberal swing-seat if the NDP and Green supporters prop them up.

Given that the site, up front, admits that it is not politically neutral, I would strongly question the integrity of their predictions.

Holder probably lost a lot of votes yesterday after his flop performance at an all-candidates debate, while Doug Ferguson and Irene Mathyssen shined. The audience was mostly seniors, and as we all know, seniors tend to vote.

http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2011/04/18/18037031.html

I've met Doug Ferguson and he is approachable and has real vision about how to bring back Canada's respectability in the world. I knew Ed Holder long before he ran for office and he was once a respectable man, but now he's nothing more than a puppet for King Harper. Last time I talked to Holder he seemed totally clueless about the issue I was talking to him about. I've heard the same thing about him writing to another constituent about a different issue.

You have to admit that some of these questions are pretty goddamn stupid. Your entitlement to corporate liquidation depends, first of all, on whether or not you own corporate debt or whether you own equity. Debt holders are automatically granted preferred creditor status because they chose to engage in a fundamentally safer financing activity that yields a lower rate of return. Of course, there are various types of debt holders, and based on the interest they command and the size of their loans, different levels will be given different liquidation priorities.

Shareholders, on the other hand, choose to own a portion of the company and thus accept a fundamentally higher risk associated with equity financing (You want to be a part of the company? Get ready to be stung if the company fails). They make a higher return which is mostly the result of a risk premium; when the company is doing well, the owners will do well, but when a company begins to collapse, the owners have to accept their responsibility to creditors and their decision not to finance the business via debt. Being the owners, just like any other business, they are also last in line to get back their investment.

This is how creditor classes work. They are based on economic tradeoff mechanisms, and each class of creditor is entitled to his share of liquidation based on the amount of risk they were willing to take on. Everyone, regardless of age, sex, religion, sexual orientation or whatever, is equal within each creditor class. You can't start going around and arbitrarily imposing age priority rules, or you will destroy the entire system of incentives that allow companies to finance capital spending initiatives. Because Ferguson is arguing in favour of a system that would circumvent the existing set of rules designed to ensure fairness and equality, I would not vote for him. Why should some other investor receive priority over me based on age?

[Snark]

Met both (Ferg is here at UWO). Holder seems decent, but I can't vote for the Tory platform.

Diefenbaker, Goldwater, Stanfield, Nixon, Thatcher, Regan, Mulroney, Bush 1, Bush 2, Manning, Day, Palin.

None of these names has history treated very well, for good reason. They are names that have been vilified, laughed at, or both.

As one example, Ms.Thatcher once proposed a tax on all citizens for being alive. Of course the poor would be hurt much more than any other (by design).

Mr.Harper is a current member of that same club.

[MolsonExport]

^Oh, I know that. Which is why (among 10000 other reasons) I won't (nor likely ever) be voting Cons next week.

[Pimpmasterdac]

Diefenbaker, Goldwater, Stanfield, Nixon, Thatcher, Regan, Mulroney, Bush 1, Bush 2, Manning, Day, Palin.


Diefenbaker was concerned with human rights giving us the Bill of Rights, a precursor to the Charter. As well he maintained the welfare state of post-WWII so I don't think your characterization is accurate.

Stanfield while mocked over his football gaffe, was/is respected for his beliefs and honesty. He ran on wage & price controls which P.E. Trudeau mocked and ridiculed, only to introduce the policies himself once in power.

Reagan, although many things are questionable politically was responsible for ending the Cold War, major nuclear disarmament. Major accomplishment that many like to deny him.

If you hate right-wing politics or conservatism that your prerogative, but at least have objectivity and accuracy. Sure some of those leaders weren't great (Bush II; Palin, Manning, Day who never had national government) but slandering ALL leaders conservatives as historical pariahs just makes your argument stink of hyper-partisanship.

Look at the Liberal Party now, its essentially going to be a rump party of urban metropolitans Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and maritime provinces living on federal subsidizes. Martin, Dion, now Iggy are going to be on the list of those that led the Liberal Party into ruin.

[manny_santos]

Ignatieff is going to be spending tomorrow in London West. It just so happens I picked tomorrow to help out Doug Ferguson on his campaign, so I am hoping I will get the opportunity to meet Ignatieff.

[manny_santos]

Met Ignatieff at London Mall today. He's actually friendlier in person than he appears to be on television. Roger Caranci and Glen Pearson were there, along with provincial Liberals Deb Matthews and Chris Bentley.

I was campaigning with Doug Ferguson today in Westmount, Old West, and Old South, and I think the Conservatives are in big trouble in London West. From what I was hearing today, I think the Liberals have a very solid chance to take back the riding.

[Simpseatles]

Met Ignatieff at London Mall today. He's actually friendlier in person than he appears to be on television.

Cool!

But eew, why was he stopping at London Mall? Oh the horror! Someone of his stature shouldn't be subjected to that kind of decrepitude!:yuck:

[MolsonExport]

^he must have needed some Schmokey BBQ

[manny_santos]

Cool!

But eew, why was he stopping at London Mall? Oh the horror! Someone of his stature shouldn't be subjected to that kind of decrepitude!:yuck:

There's still a Christmas wreath up, right above the Chew-Chew Train.

^he must have needed some Schmokey BBQ

I tried that place yesterday actually. It's really really good.

[haljackey]

I've seen Iggy at UWO and I didn't like the fact that he didn't directly answer any of the questions posed to him.

Getting more local, it seems like every riding in London is secure except London West. The NDP surge has really affected the predictions for this riding with the conservatives in the lead, the Liberals trailing by about 2000 votes and the NDP trailing the Liberals by another 2000 votes.

The rest of the ridings should re-elect their incumbents I'm predicting.

[go_leafs_go02]

London West is where I grew up, and actually both elections I voted in there were very close. I remember a few years ago the civic election for my ward - ward 8, was won by Paul Hubert by 23 votes or something. Then the was last federal election - again, I think the Conservative vote was around 1000 votes or different.

[MolsonExport]

I'm really tempted to vote NDP, but I can't stand "Harper's Gov't". I want my vote to count more towards denying the Cons another seat. So the latest polls put Liberal Ferguson just behind Ed Holdout, and NDP Ferguson behind Liberal Ferguson. How many people will leave their glasses at home?

[Blitz]

I voted Conservative in the advance poll. Last I heard, Susan Truppe was gaining ground on Pearson in my riding of London North Centre. There are some things I disagree with in their policies but they bailed out the auto industry and they seem more committed than any other party to getting the new Windsor-Detroit bridge done.

[haljackey]

Truppe is a much better candidate for MP than Holder or any other con candidates in the London region in my opinion. Pearson hasn't been doing a bad job and I like the way he communicates with his constituents... something we don't see here in London West.

Both the federal and provincial governments have been pressuring to build a new crossing in Windsor. We've pledge to do most of the work and cover most of the cost. The construction of the Windsor-Essex Parkway starts this summer in fact but I don't see much use for it until a new crossing is made.

[Pimpmasterdac]

I just wonder if the NDP surge may cause left-wing vote splitting. CPC won by ~2,000 in London West and lost by 3,300 votes in London North. I have no clue locally how the NDPs surge has affected voters intentions, and whether a vote split to the CPC advantage could perhaps play out.

As well London North-Centre is the only Liberal held riding in all of SW Ontario, so it'll be interesting to see the extent of the Liberal decimation after tomorrow.

[MolsonExport]

I'd like to vote NDP (I can't believe I am saying this, but I am, so there), but I will vote Liberal, as Doug Fergie has the best chance of beating the Cons incumbent, Ed Holdout.

[haljackey]

According to the last polls, both London West AND North-Centre (really) are going to be Con-Lib dogfights. Truppe has made significant progress and NDP-Lib vote splitting will weaken Pearson, allowing her to potentially slip by.

NDP should be safe in Fanshawe and Conservatives should be safe in Elgin-Middlesex-London.

Now it's off to vote I go.

[manny_santos]

What the hell happened?

I can't believe what I'm seeing in London West. Not only did Ed Holder win a clear majority, but Doug Ferguson came in third place.

I'm even more surprised at how close London North Centre is right now. I thought Glen Pearson would be doing better.

UPDATE: In the end, Doug Ferguson came in second place, but only by a slim margin over Peter Ferguson.

[K85]

I'm moving to fucking Fiji............ conservatives? Really?

[Pimpmasterdac]

NDP-Liberal vote splitting!

London West both the Ferguson's got ~25%

London North-Centre CPC is going to squeak by with a win @ 35%, 33% for Pearson, 26% for NDP

Looks like the NDP surge was the best thing the CPC could have hoped for. Splitting the vote in areas like North Centre that otherwise would have remained Liberal.

[haljackey]

What the hell happened?

I can't believe what I'm seeing in London West. Not only did Ed Holder win a clear majority, but Doug Ferguson came in third place.

I'm even more surprised at how close London North Centre is right now. I thought Glen Pearson would be doing better.

I predicted Truppe might sqeeze by and Holder would win.

When I casted my ballot in London West I nearly voted for the United Party cuz I knew we were screwed.

Know when to Hold em, know when to fold em. Guess he'll Hold-out for another parliament.

[Vaillant]

Quebec will leave this country very soon...

[Wharn]

I'm moving to fucking Fiji

Enjoy your military junta.

[MolsonExport]

Quebec will leave this country very soon...

What, are the election results part of the "winning conditions"? I'm old enough to remember both referendums very well, and the conditions driving the sovereignty vote during those moments. Today's environment is not even remotely close to the atmosphere of 1993-1994 (failure of lac Meech, Charlottetown accord, Bloc ascendant, PQ (Parizeau no less) in power).

[Simpseatles]

Great.

Now I have this guy representing me for the next 4 years!:(

http://communications.uwo.ca/com/media/images/Joe_Preston.jpg
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://communications.uwo.ca/com/media/images/Joe_Preston.jpg&imgrefurl=http://communications.uwo.ca/com/western_news/stories/western-led_initiative_gets_%248.7-million_government_boost_20090319443878/&usg=__J5qn9sd-EKstVruMToM7lXaAA9U=&h=275&w=250&sz=35&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=hdW16Zuwb4LFDM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=134&ei=RbzATavxO8XqgQfa7M2BBg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Djoe%2Bpreston%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1021%26bih%3D460%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=563&page=1&ndsp=10&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0&tx=42&ty=85Joe
Joe Preston-Conservative

Looks like Southwestern Ontario (excluding K-W and Windsor) is a sea of blue, with one lonley NDP. Not that much different from a map of Alberta's results!

Bright side is, next election I can vote!:)

I do think they should lower the voting age though. Many people I know are engaged enough and would make educated decisions.

[haljackey]

Looks like Southwestern Ontario (excluding K-W and Windsor) is a sea of blue, with one lonley NDP. Not that much different from a map of Alberta's results!

K-W went blue too just so ya know. Guelph did go red though.

I find it hard to believe that hard-hit Elgin county really likes to go Conservative. You'd think they'd swing NDP but nope.

Apparently another 30 ridings will be added to the country next election, and I'm assuming London will get one. Haven't looked into it in detail but you may no longer be in Preston's riding depending on where you live.

[Wharn]

I find it hard to believe that hard-hit Elgin county really likes to go Conservative. You'd think they'd swing NDP but nope.

They must remember what it was like to have Bob Rae and the NDP in power in Ontario. Experience has probably taught them that they wish to avoid a similar scenario for Canada as a whole. From what I have seen, blue-collar small business owners tend to vote Conservative, so if Elgin County has a lot of the small entrepreneurial types then it is no surprise that it went blue.


Apparently another 30 ridings will be added to the country next election, and I'm assuming London will get one. Haven't looked into it in detail but you may no longer be in Preston's riding depending on where you live.

I read somewhere that the city proper is expected to have about 380,000 people by the time the next census rolls around. Assuming this is accurate, if a new riding were created now then London would be slightly over-represented (we aim to have 1 seat per 100,000 people). Since the Tories are now in power, I think they would prefer to keep swing ridings under-represented. Most of the new ridings will probably be created in British Columbia, Alberta and elsewhere in Ontario. However, if Harper turns out to be more honest than the average politician, we may eventually see something like "London South" carved out of the rest of the city.

[haljackey]

The Census is being done this year. Thinking London will have 380k (city) is a good estimate.

But metro wise, London may top the 500k mark (even though I think London has no metro). I could see a new riding to reflect this.

I live a 15 min walk from Southdale road, which is the dividing line between London-West and Elgin-Middlesex-London, yet there is a lot of development south of Southdale. I find it hard to believe that the people who live here are in the same riding with rural, blue-collar small town folks which is not a good fit on a representative level.

I want to see a new riding that would encompass London's south, all the way to the city limits where the Elgin-Middlesex-London would begin. This riding would also consume some of London-West and London-Fanshawe, which could eat into North-Centre. These ridings could push out and eat up places like Arva.

Given these figures, the London area could expand from 4 to 5 ringings given our metro population will get to half a million. Since the next election won't be for at least another 4 years, we will definitely have the population to support a new riding by then.

[Pimpmasterdac]

:previous:

London will definitely pick up another seat possibly even another one! Harper was/is planning on passing a bill to give Ontario another 20 seats. While a good chunk will go to the GTA and Golden-horse shoe, some will have to go to the other urban areas of Ontario. With an additional 20 seats, plus even more after the decennial census adjustments it'll be good chances for more representation for us.

I don't know what they'll do with Middlesex riding, St. Thomas has been decimated population wise, so including areas of London will be needed for its representation to be near par. It is weird though, all those developments on Southdale & Pack Road being included in a rural riding. Just have to wait and see

[MolsonExport]

london has no metro? because we are completely surrounded by farmland?

C'mon! what about all those horses, cows, chickens, and turkeys that commute to the forest city (slaughterhouses) once a year?

[Pimpmasterdac]

As much as I support the CPC and was glad that they finally got a majority, its too bad Glen Pearson didn't get re-elected in London North. Partisanship aside, he's a good human being who has the best interests of Canada & London at heart and has done many great things for our community and Canada internationally. Unfortunately the cult of leadership is king in Canada and people like Pearson have to deal with the consequences of it.

I suspect the same happening to Chris Bentley provincially in London West this year. Another good individual that will pay for poor party leadership.

Here's an exit piece from A-News http://www.atv.ca/london/news_76054.aspx

[new age]

Of courses "he's a good human being", he's not a Conservative.