Angry in the Great White North

That Stephane Dion is finished as leader of the Liberal Party was reported earlier today:

It's only the second time the Liberals have lost the riding [of Outremont] since 1935, and analysts said the loss could raise serious questions about Dion's leadership.

One anonymous Liberal MP pointed out to The Canadian Press that the Liberals' current seat-count in Quebec -- 12 of 75 -- is the lowest since Confederation.

"There are going to have to be changes in the leader's entourage," said the MP.

There is no means by which Stephane Dion can be deposed as leader under these circumstances. A leadership review vote is required after a general election which does not result in a Liberal government, but a by-election loss, or three, does not trigger such a vote.

So Stephane Dion remains as leader. Or does he?

Stephane Dion blew it. He lost Outremont, and lost it badly, allowing the NDP to take 50% of the vote in this most traditional of Liberal ridings, while Dion's handpicked (and appointed) nominee couldn't get past 30%. In Roberval--Lac-Saint-Jean, the Conservatives won six votes for every vote cast for the Liberal candidate. In Saint-Hyacinthe--Bagot, the Liberals came in a humiliating fourth place.

Given these results, these frustrated Liberals are not just demanding that Stephane Dion fire a few people. The Liberals are going to see to it that Stephane Dion's "entourage" is going to be made up of people who can win elections despite Stephane Dion as leader.

Stephane Dion stops being leader and is now an inconvenience for which people will develop workarounds.

I would not be surprised if Stephane Dion found himself surrounded by key people from Michael Ignatieff's team. So yes, the Liberal Party might be stuck with Stephane Dion is the position of leader, but who is actually the leader an entirely unrelated discussion. Stephane Dion might not even be in the room when that discussion takes place.

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