With the federal Liberals just a few seats shy of a majority government, there’s been some speculation over whether Prime Minister Mark Carney might be zeroing in on members of Parliament from other parties to cross the floor and join his party’s fold.
But coaxing over those few MPs needed for a majority would still be a significant challenge, some observers say.
“Oh, that’s hard,” said former B.C. NDP MP Nathan Cullen. “That’s a whole heap of moral flexibility that you’re going to be seeking.”
“The challenge is that you’re never fully trusted by the party you crossed to and you’re hated by the party you just left,” Cullen said. “So you can be prepared for some lonely days.”
The Liberals won a fourth mandate by capturing 169 seats, just missing out on the 172 seats needed for a majority government. Although most members of Parliament are elected with a party affiliation — some may run as Independents — they aren’t required …