THE MIDDLE

Re “Canada has room for a new centrist party, provided we can define what ‘centre’ means” (Opinion, May 20): Over 20 years ago, I asked a former provincial premier whether he believed in good government or political government. To my shock (I was unquestionably naive) he quickly responded: “political government.”

This has manifested in parties not wanting to offend voters, and in other instances embracing niche programs to attract pockets of voters. Yet I believe voter malaise is driven by disappointment in all parties. Politicians often overestimate how they might be harmed by making a “courageous” decision, to quote Sir Humphrey Appleby from Yes Minister.

Columnist Andrew Coyne lists a number of policies that a new centrist party might implement. I agree with every one of them. I can’t wait for such a party to be formed, so that I might vote for their candidate in an upcoming election.

■ Ron Fritz Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.

When the Conservatives elected Pierre Poilievre as leader, I was dismayed. As a pragmatic, rightof-centre supporter of democratic governance, I felt abandoned and politically homeless. Justin Trudeau’s free-spending approach to government is equally distasteful to me. Therefore, columnist Andrew Coyne’s musings regarding a new centrist party got my attention. What uplifted me most was the idea that “centrist” should apply to the approach, rather than the position of the party.

A party aiming to form government, not locked into rigid dogma but rather seeking pragmatic solutions from whomever and wherever they might emerge, will get my vote. I suggest this group find a better party name to project the concept of pragmatism than Centre Ice.

■ Robert (Bob) Askew Surrey, B.C.

Canada used to have such a party: the Progressive Conservatives.

Unfortunate that we let it wander away.

■ Dick Patrick Toronto

Columnist Andrew Coyne’s proposal, or dream, of a minority centrist party, free to support either majority party based on soundness of position, is an appealing thought. Even more appealing is the idea that such a centrist party could help deter the disrespectful behaviour and pervasive nonsense that dominates what seems to pass for political discourse.

Minority parties have had significant influence in Canada: The NDP pulled the Liberals to the left, and briefly overtook it; the Reform Party pulled the Progressive Conservatives to the right before subsuming it. A minority party that pulled decision-making in a moderate direction would be a new experience.

■ David Steele Regina