Harper’s made few friends with his parliamentary prorouge. Now The Economist has joined the fray, the latest publication to bash the Prime Minister’s troubling move. This is, in fact, a big deal. It proves that Harper’s antics are now more than just national spectacle. This is a democracy after all, but the man is playing by his own rules.

Harper’s Conservatives have never been team players. This is nothing new. Forcing an election for a pipe-dream majority? And now, proroguing in the face of opposition challenge? Life as usual in the Conservative camp. Previous Prime Ministers have prorogued as well, and this is all the justification Harper needs.

With 63 bills off the table, and a government of angry MPs, Harper’s so-called vacation better damn well be worth it.