Liberals surge in the polls
A new poll conducted by Nanos Research has the Liberal Party of Canada in a dead heat with the NDP, suggesting their support has increased to 28.1 per cent, up from 23.4 per cent in October. SFU Public Policy assistant professor Royce Koop, whose book Grassroots Liberals was released earlier this year, says the argument that the party is dead is premature.

“This bump reflects two things; one, the interim leader, Nycole Turmel, is not performing well in the House while many NDP stars have taken themselves out of critic positions with plans to run for the leadership,” says Koop, noting that in contrast, Bob Rae has been a visible critic. “And second, the Liberal Party has been in the news recently as party reform efforts have been discussed. This is encouraging for the Liberals because it shows that people will respond to good, visible leadership as well as attempts to reform and democratize the party. It also shows that the Liberals can win back support from the NDP.”

Royce Koop, 778.229.1241, roycek@sfu.ca