Lack of class

In the hours after the polling stations close and the votes are counted, the nation watches the results unfold on TV. During that time, the leaders give their concession speeches, then the one with the most seats gives the victory speech. I was tuned in to the English CBC network. Just after Paul Martin finished his concession speech, Peter Mansbridge announced that Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe had given his speech during Martin’s speech. They then played a recording of Duceppe’s remarks.

I know that there is no love lost between Duceppe and Martin, or the Bloc and the Liberals. But what the heck was Duceppe thinking? Why on Earth would he deliver his address when one of the other party leaders – the Prime Minister, in fact – was giving his? I’m quite sure it was not a simple scheduling error. This was a slap in the face not just to the Liberals, but to everyone in Canada, including Quebecois.

It was extremely rude and showed a real lack of class on the part of Duceppe and his organizers.