About that word "consensus"

When I use a word, Humpty Harper said in a rather scornful tone, it means just what I choose it to mean.

June 22, 2007 Macleans : Harper won't extend Afghan mission without consensus among Canadians

"Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he wants a consensus among Canadians, not just parliamentarians, about the country's future role in Afghanistan."

Sept 9, 2007 G&M : Tories willing to wait for Afghan consensus

"Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he will delay a vote on extending the Afghanistan mission will until he is sure that Parliament will agree to keep Canadian troops in the war-torn country past February 2009.

“But I don't see a necessity of rushing into a vote, unless we're able to have a situation where a vote would be successful, where there would be some agreement among at least some of the opposition parties that would carry the day and would give a mandate to our armed forces,” said Mr. Harper."

Sept 9, 2007 CNews : "Harper said he's still seeking a consensus, but a government official later said that consensus has to be in line with the government's wishes.
The official said that "consensus" means 50-per-cent plus one MP in a parliamentary vote."

The question is, said Humpty Harper, which is to be master - that is all.