First of all six weeks is a long time in politics. The NDP is no more left wing than fly to the moon.
The party has turned itself into the mushy middle. There are democratic socialists, there is a
majority of social democrats, with small c conservative leanings. and a few left loonies or the old
style socialists but not many.
I myself, understand some of the principles of this party, not all but some. I believe in being
socially progressive and fiscally conservative. In short, if you are going to institute a new program
you have to know where the money is coming from, and how you will pay for it in fifteen years as the
program begins to take on a life of its own. It is also prudent to understand whether the program is
needed or could it be funded with other avenues of revenue.
What happened here is Carol James, who is a very nice lady with some good ideas, fell victim to her
own belief that everything can be achieved with endless dialogue and that is simply not true. Others
should know, Carol was not all that bad a leader, she rebuilt that party and set a new course to attract
supporters who were angry and disillusioned after the Ujjalites had destroyed the base and focus of the
party. Carol is a builder, not a long term leader that would actually govern. The present group who
rebelled know there is a much bigger threat out there and I think I know what that threat is. Think about
this for a moment.
Gordon Campbell instituted the four year fixed election dates to protect the vision of his government.
When the new leader comes to power, he or she will go to the legislature rescind the the fixed dates
and call an election by next fall at the latest and depending on when the Federal Tories go to the polls
which will be, sooner rather than later. I believe we will see a Provincial and Federal Election in the
twelve months. I think the New Democrats knew that if that election were called they could not win with
the present leadership. Carol had to go, the party itself did it wrong, they should have left someone in
charge of the shop that could make the required statements that would hold onto confidence and leadership.
Some say there is no one to lead, but we will all be surprised, both the Liberals and the NDP have people
that we don't know, that will provide leadership and vision. The word Vision is most important, here we have
not seen much for a decade that is why both sides will find leaders with a lot of it or we are in one hell of a
pile of trouble, I think we will see a new era in politics.
