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Living in the political limelight is the dream job for those who wish to be seen — it’s clean, it’s indoors and there’s no heavy lifting involved.

But for those who want to get stuff done, life in the House of Commons can be pretty frustrating.

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tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or John Ivison: For 18 Liberal MPs, the love affair with politics is over Back to video

Eighteen Liberals, 15 Conservatives and 14 New Democrats have decided they have had enough of the Theatre of the Absurd and are not standing for re-election. Those numbers are not out of whack with previous elections — except for the NDP, which has lost a third of its caucus.

What is curious is the number of members of the governing party who are quitting after just one term in office, despite there being every prospect Justin Trudeau will win again in October.

For some, the love affair with politics has curdled because their ambitions have been thwarted. But for others, disillusionment centres around the disconnect between the House of Commons and the people of Canada.