If I were into conjuring, my next act would be something along the line of “The Amazing Disappearing Liberal Parties of Canada.” I’d have a cape. And an attractive assistant with leggy legs. And sound effects to distract the yokels. “Ladeees and gentlemen … watch carefully as one of Canada’s oldest parties disappears before your very eyes!”

I’m joking. Besides, the ebbing of the party of Wilfrid Laurier, William Lyon Mackenzie King and Lester B. Pearson hasn’t really been like that. No burst of flames and … poof! It’s gone! It’s been more a slow fade into the background, like the Cheshire cat, minus the smile, of course. Instead, perhaps, a pair of eyebrows set in perplexity.