This is just a tad harsh.
... Nonetheless, a solid case can be made that the NDP is no longer the courageous, innovative and visionary party for the common man that it once was. Layton's leadership has been nothing short of mundane.
...Canadian politics and the NDP in particular are in need of a breath of fresh air. The Green party can credit its growing ranks to Layton's refusal to change the song long after his followers grew weary of it. Real change can only be attained if voters break from their traditional loyalties and send a message to the NDP in the next election that Layton's time is up.
Because the Green Party is the vehicle for "real change". Right! And the only thing standing in the way of "real change" is Jack Layton. Right!
I guess that is what you get from a University newspaper, where the only choices are left and more left and the country is not moving far enough to the left because the parties on the left are not advocating it. Right!
Comments (6)
Not too many people realize that the leader of the NDP must be a recognized cat herder. ;)
Posted by Greg | February 7, 2007 1:26 PM
Posted on February 7, 2007 13:26
I agree, several cats need to be herded. That article is too narrowly based on the NDP and Greens. What is actually happening is Déjà Vu …
What happened on the Right:
Joe Clark, Manning, Day, McKay wandered in the wilderness for 13 years …Then they came to their senses, compromised and chose their new leader: Harper
A repeat is now happening on the Left:
Dion, Layton, Lizzy May, Duceppe … wandered in the wilderness ….
Posted by nomdenet | February 7, 2007 1:47 PM
Posted on February 7, 2007 13:47
I love the NDP. Always putting purity before parliamentary presence.
Posted by lrC | February 7, 2007 3:49 PM
Posted on February 7, 2007 15:49
keep a eye out for stephen lewis. he’s in between jobs at the moment and he would blow taliban jack out of the water.
Posted by spike | February 7, 2007 5:23 PM
Posted on February 7, 2007 17:23
I’d be much happier if the NDP met their rough compatriots across the pond (The UK’s Liberal Democrat Party) and read the orange book. I’d happily vote for orange booker New Democrats.
We could use a free market party without the Conservative’s so-con and ‘meanie’ drag (real or imagined) and with otherwise normal NDP positions. Like the Green Party if May doesn’t shift to the typical Green Party positions of being Social Democratic parties with a better name and an erstwhile focus on the environment. That said, if the Greens eat the NDP’s lunch while staying pro-free market… Awesome.
At the very least combing free-market policies with all of the other traditional NDP positions would finish off those left-right labels that are essentially meaningless in this day and age.
Alas the NDP will remain the warmed over social democratic party they currently are. Sigh.
Also? Jack Layton? Ugh. Please find somebody better. I won’t deny he’s done well, seat wise, but there’s a smarmy vibe about him. Doesn’t play well I’ve always thought.
Posted by Wednesday Keller | February 7, 2007 6:36 PM
Posted on February 7, 2007 18:36
Alas, Lewis is only a year younger than Broadbent… all the same, if Layton departs soon, as I expect…
Posted by Josh Gould | February 7, 2007 9:12 PM
Posted on February 7, 2007 21:12