[Stingray2004]

James Leaves Big Hole For NDP


By Keith Baldrey,
Global BC
Special to the Times
December 7, 2010 7:04 AM


The palace coup against NDP leader Carole James may have succeeded in removing her from the leadership, but it has created a giant crack in the unity of the party.

It also raises doubts about the party's ability to govern.

Make no mistake: the 13 so-called "dissident" MLAs have inflicted enormous damage on their party and on their colleagues. While there's no question James' weak leadership was a challenge for the NDP, the method used to take her out will leave scars that run deep within a party that prides itself on embracing, among other things, giving women real political power.

The party has been trying to portray itself as the "government in waiting." This is an important image to craft, as voters have to be sure they are putting a responsible, competent bunch of people in office, with control over everything from the health-care system to environmental protection to taxes.

Instead, the internal meltdown has portrayed the party as a clownish bunch willing to bend to the will of a minority driven by self-interest rather than the greater good of the majority.

Can you imagine behaving that way in government? Would an NDP premier give in to 13 dissidents in the caucus who were upset by a policy position agreed to by the majority?

One of the dissidents, Harry Lali, has said this whole episode shows it is the end of "party discipline." Given that - and given that his dissident colleagues appear to agree with him - how does James' successor fare any better dealing the caucus?

Jenny Kwan's suicide-bomber approach to forcing James out of office should give everyone in the caucus who is considering becoming interim leader serious pause for concern.

Indeed, Kwan and her colleagues' nuclear attack against James have wounded the credibility of those who backed James. The top talent of the NDP caucus (which does not include any of the dissidents, by the way) has been tainted by the anti-democratic actions of the minority.

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The shame of this is it may cost the NDP the next election.

The NDP now has to go through a potentially agonizing leadership race of its own.

Read more: http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/news/...#ixzz17RWA3L6B