I'm a total a political junkie who never gets tired of talking all politics This past weekend's N.D.P. leadership convention was interesting viewing for me. And when I wasn't watching it on television, I was certainly following along on twitter.
It took four ballots, but as we all know by now the new N.D.P. leader is Thomas Mulcair from Quebec.It wasn't really much of a surprise; well before the convention he was touted as the front runner, and as near to a gauranteed winner as there was. What was a surprise to me anyway was that it actually took four ballots. I had my doubts whether Mulcair would win if it went beyond 2 ballots.
I find myself greeting the party's final decision with a mixture of skepticism, and disappointment. The N.D.P has been an ideals party that has made a general habit of going against the status quo. I would've thought just to be contrary, they'd pick an outspoken woman- Peggy Nash who I believe could really take Harper on, or the dynamic young person in Nikki Ashton. Or maybe they would choose to completely remake the image of an NDP'r by choosing Martin Singh. Or they could look to the future and the possibility of uniting with the Liberals by picking Nathan Cullen, or go the sentimental route and pick one of Layton's favourites Brian Topp as leader.
The very fact the N.D.P. had such a depth of choice speaks well to the diversity of their membership, and the abilities of the candidates. That Mulcair won against these five others was no small feat, and demonstrates his own abilities, but I'm skeptical he's the man for the job. The one phrase that springs to mind when I'm thinking of Thomas Mulcair is "wolf in sheep's clothing." He's got style, but he also comes across as being the guy that keeps you guessing, wondering what will he do next. That unpredictability will make him an interesting figure as he attempts to continue molding the N.D.P. into a serious contender.
Where does this leave the Liberals? I'm wondering that myself. Thomas Mulcair is fairly clear on the fact he doesn't want to unite with the party, for now that's okay. The thing is such an alliance may be necessary for either to find their way to government; so I wouldn't be so hasty to count out such a course of action. If I were Mulcair I would spend some time worrying about the Liberals, if only because they tend to sneak up on you when your back is turned. And because people are at their most dangerous when you count them out. Bob Rae has been stealing lots of attention while the N.D.P. has been running the leadership contest after all.
Good Luck Mr. Mulcair. You've a tough job ahead of you. I look forward to seeing what you'll make of the party.
Showing posts with label N.D.P. federal politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label N.D.P. federal politics. Show all posts
Monday, March 26, 2012
Monday, August 22, 2011
Rest In Peace Jack Layton
I've been applying for jobs with various media outlets in Ottawa. In July, when Jack Layton announced he would return in September after fighting his battle with cancer I allowed myself to imagine meeting him. I usually disagree with the N.D.P. so we would probably argue, maybe get into a heated debate. At some point he'd say something that would make me look at the world a little bit differently- maybe make me smile. And we'd part, prepared to do a similar battle all over again some other time.
Now my imagined meeting with him won't happen. Jack Layton died today at 4:45 am, and Canada at least is poorer for it. All I know of Jack I've seen or heard on television, or read in newspapers and online. I never met him, but he had a sincerity, and a strength of his convictions that transcends all media. It showed most recently in the election campaign. While Ignatieff, and Harper were busy going after each other with faked anger over a coalition, or the G.S.T., or the purchase of military jets- there was Jack Layton and the N.D.P running their election- their pace slow, and steady promoting their platform, spreading their message of change, and meeting Canadians across the country. The little party that could; the little party that did.
And their message resonated loudly with all Canadians. When Layton talked of a better Canada, and of bringing civility to Ottawa I believed him. I wanted the status quo to change- the two front runners Iggy and Harper just weren't doing it for me anymore. When election day ended the little party that could with its tireless leader became Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition- a position made more vital by having to check a Harper-led majority government.
It's one of life's tragic ironies that Mr. Layton isn't able to enjoy that massive success- that he barely tasted it before having it torn away by fate. Like everyone else I was heartbroken when I watched the press conference. The energetic man seen raising his cane in celebration was now skinny with a sallow complexion, and a voice that sounded like it belonged to a man decades older. I highly doubted then he would make his goal to return to Parliament, and yet I was rooting for him thinking Cancer had found itself a worthy adversary that would end up kicking its butt. I was sadly wrong about that.
Canada doesn't just mourn a political leader today. We mourn a good man, whose belief in himself, and passion for his country stretched beyond all boundaries. We mourn a man whose optimistic spirit, and positive message makes us believe we can build a better country and a better world. He believed Canadians could change the world, and said so in a final statement that ends with these words: My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world. Now it's up to us to justify his belief.
Rest in Peace Jack... I hope we'll meet someday.
Now my imagined meeting with him won't happen. Jack Layton died today at 4:45 am, and Canada at least is poorer for it. All I know of Jack I've seen or heard on television, or read in newspapers and online. I never met him, but he had a sincerity, and a strength of his convictions that transcends all media. It showed most recently in the election campaign. While Ignatieff, and Harper were busy going after each other with faked anger over a coalition, or the G.S.T., or the purchase of military jets- there was Jack Layton and the N.D.P running their election- their pace slow, and steady promoting their platform, spreading their message of change, and meeting Canadians across the country. The little party that could; the little party that did.
And their message resonated loudly with all Canadians. When Layton talked of a better Canada, and of bringing civility to Ottawa I believed him. I wanted the status quo to change- the two front runners Iggy and Harper just weren't doing it for me anymore. When election day ended the little party that could with its tireless leader became Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition- a position made more vital by having to check a Harper-led majority government.
It's one of life's tragic ironies that Mr. Layton isn't able to enjoy that massive success- that he barely tasted it before having it torn away by fate. Like everyone else I was heartbroken when I watched the press conference. The energetic man seen raising his cane in celebration was now skinny with a sallow complexion, and a voice that sounded like it belonged to a man decades older. I highly doubted then he would make his goal to return to Parliament, and yet I was rooting for him thinking Cancer had found itself a worthy adversary that would end up kicking its butt. I was sadly wrong about that.
Canada doesn't just mourn a political leader today. We mourn a good man, whose belief in himself, and passion for his country stretched beyond all boundaries. We mourn a man whose optimistic spirit, and positive message makes us believe we can build a better country and a better world. He believed Canadians could change the world, and said so in a final statement that ends with these words: My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world. Now it's up to us to justify his belief.
Rest in Peace Jack... I hope we'll meet someday.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Nycole Turmel: Federalist or Separatist?
Let's face it, before the latest the federal election few people took the New Democratic Party (N.D.P) seriously. They were the party known as Canada's Social conscience.Then the latest federal election happened. Canadians didn't like their choices, and it showed in the results. Stephen Harper won his coveted majority, but the spirit of change surrounding Jack Layton, and the N.D.P. resonated. The party went from the left-wing fringes to mainstream official opposition. When the new Members of Parliament (M.P.'s) entered the House, nobody had a clue who most were. We all knew Jack, and Olivia- some knew Peggy Nash, and Thomas Mulcair or Libby Davies and Pat Martin.
But large numbers of them are mysteries, and question marks, including Nycole Turmel. I have heard of her; she was a former leader of the federal government's largest public sector union, and some people I talk to don't have good things to say about her. Apparently she was also a member of the Bloc Quebecois for 5 years, and only resigned her membership 2 months before the federal election. Something that you'd think should exclude her from becoming interim leader.
I wonder if Jack Layton knew about her past a Separatist. If he did, it speaks to a willful ignorance, and poor judgement on his part. If he didn't know, well shouldn't the party have done its homework well before now? We're heading into month three of this government- enough time to double check the background on some of these characters. If he did know, naming her leader with her past could also be a tactic for Layton to keep some control over the party in his absence.
The formal job title is: Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. You have to ask the question though- how loyal is it to have a woman who held membership in a federal party advocating the breakup of the country? How loyal is a federal party leader who possibly still holds membership in a provincial separatist party?
No matter how you look at it Nycole Turmel lied. In any other situation she would be asked to step aside and another named in her place. For the good of the party she should resign- this controversy is an early Christmas gift to the other three parties; and a blow to the success the N.D.P. has achieved. It's a blow to her integrity, and she won't be taken seriously by the other parties.
But we have to remember this isn't any other situation. Layton has stepped aside because of illness, and has signaled he will be back. If his absence lasts longer than the September 19, deadline I think we'll either see a second interim leader named or a date for a quick leadership convention.
But large numbers of them are mysteries, and question marks, including Nycole Turmel. I have heard of her; she was a former leader of the federal government's largest public sector union, and some people I talk to don't have good things to say about her. Apparently she was also a member of the Bloc Quebecois for 5 years, and only resigned her membership 2 months before the federal election. Something that you'd think should exclude her from becoming interim leader.
I wonder if Jack Layton knew about her past a Separatist. If he did, it speaks to a willful ignorance, and poor judgement on his part. If he didn't know, well shouldn't the party have done its homework well before now? We're heading into month three of this government- enough time to double check the background on some of these characters. If he did know, naming her leader with her past could also be a tactic for Layton to keep some control over the party in his absence.
The formal job title is: Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. You have to ask the question though- how loyal is it to have a woman who held membership in a federal party advocating the breakup of the country? How loyal is a federal party leader who possibly still holds membership in a provincial separatist party?
No matter how you look at it Nycole Turmel lied. In any other situation she would be asked to step aside and another named in her place. For the good of the party she should resign- this controversy is an early Christmas gift to the other three parties; and a blow to the success the N.D.P. has achieved. It's a blow to her integrity, and she won't be taken seriously by the other parties.
But we have to remember this isn't any other situation. Layton has stepped aside because of illness, and has signaled he will be back. If his absence lasts longer than the September 19, deadline I think we'll either see a second interim leader named or a date for a quick leadership convention.
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