What a difference a day makes. It's like 1992 all over again with conservative unhappy with conservative and lots of lashing out here and there about what it all means and what is going to happen.

So what is the up side? We'll more than taking nerve, Harper's cabinet displays some guts. Me, I really don't care about Emerson really. It is not an act of a particular political party, though it kicks the knees out of the Stronach yappery. And, really, did the West think it would get more than an handful of somewhat junior cabinet positions? They were better represented in the senior positions under Martin. No, avoiding the appearance of a rural western take-over was wise in the long run. It is not like Alberta will vote against them in 2007.

Who is the real winner? Peter MacKay gets a real seat and a real vote of confidence. I may well have voted Tory if MacKay had won the leadership but I am such a homer. Quebec perhaps as the decent representation may well swing something there. It may not be the new social order some fantastize about but it may be federalism which is a pretty good thing. So for now the appearence is of an an assertive maybe even gutsy call...which may implode if all the natural Tory factions are not managed very well.

Update: as ususal, the Flea puts it best (from the comments over at Brooksy's place):

I am unashamedly pro-Belinda and have a personal enthusiasm for floor crossing. It might have been nice for Mr. Emerson to have oh, say, taken his seat in Parliament before "crossing the floor". Welcome to Day One of the Mulroney Effect, people.

Parliamentary democracy should be messy. It is more fun that way. There is a big difference between money-based unethical behaviour and its politically-based cousin. Ambition is not a crime even when it is unseemly. And, of course, Mulroney's folk are back in town. And while we really do frown on bad language around here, I do like to recall privately my favorite Mulroney saying from time to time: "there's no whore like an old whore". It's a firmer rougher world again now that Paul Martin's watery handshake has left us.