I think the only thing they actually stand for, other than a vague sense of their own party identity based on the past history OF their party, is getting elected! And staying in power once they are. And therein lies the problem.

That is the essential problem with most political parties these days. They're in the game mostly just to WIN the game, not to serve the public or to govern according to a coherent and workable philosophy.

The neocons of Harper's ilk, of course, have a philosophy. It's just not a workable or useful one. ;-)

The primary thing that unites the Liberals is the keen sense that they are NOT the Conservatives. That's true...but it's not enough.

The NDP did once have a coherent and workable philosophy. I keep wondering if they'll manage to find it again someday.