Wither the NDP?

Mr. Stefaniuk over at the Sask Citizens Federation makes the argument that others have made over the years that the NDP should either merge with the liberals or "re-brand" as a true left-of-center party.

In my opinion Tommy Douglas would ask us - as new democrats - what are we doing?

The CCF was formed in 1932

31 years laster in 1961 the NDP was formed.

It is now 41 years later

Wouldn't Douglas be asking if we succeeded?

And wouldn't our answer have to be no?

We have never formed even the official opposition - never mind the government.

Douglas would say that we have failed. He would urge us to think bigger, to dream no little dream, to reach inside ourselves and make a change that we might not be comfortable with.
Just like he did in 1961.

We have all heard the Benjamin Franklin quote "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results". I think that Tommy would agree.
Just like he did in 1961.

I think it is time to take a lesson from, of all people, Preston Manning. We on the left need to unite the left and create a winning coalition.

I am calling on the NDP, the Green Party, the Bloq (without the separatist angle) and the Liberals, the former PROGRESSIVE conservatives and others too think about this.

What unites us is more important that what divides us.

The Greens will object because they are just becoming prominent and don't want to lose that.

The Bloq cannot give up separatism.

The Liberals cannot give up their arrogance and belief that they are the natural governing party.

The NDP cannot give up the notion that we are the only voice for the left and ideological purity means more than forming government.

All of us will continue to fight among ourselves while the Conservatives grow stronger.

I want a progressive party, one that speaks to my values and has a reasonable chance of forming government.

I don't have that right now. The NDP speak to my values but cannot form a government. The Liberals can form a government but cannot speak to my values.

I am prepared to compromise and work together with other like-minded people to find the common ground and move forward. Naturaly this will be viewed by the NDP as "selling out"

The cheep seats always win in our party.

read part II