Nobody wants an election. MPs almost voted to have one anyway

Is there anyone inside the House of Commons who thinks what the country wants or needs right now is another federal election?

And if not, why was there such suspense and drama around this week's vote on the Liberal government's budget policy ?

As much as those who work in and around Parliament Hill might appreciate anything that enlivens a dark, frigid November night in Ottawa, it's at least not obvious that this week's intrigue was, strictly speaking, necessary.

Some of the excitement can be put down to the fact that seemingly no one outside the NDP caucus knew how the seven New Democrats in the House were going to vote — or not vote, as it were — until the House clerks started calling the rolls. It's unusual for a party to maintain such an air of mystery for so long.

Elizabeth M