Should the NDP change their name to The Democratic Party?

logan5 · #1 Posted **Oct 31, 2015, 6:50 PM**

There's a few good reasons to do this.

*Stardust* · #2 Posted **Oct 31, 2015, 6:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by logan5

There's a few good reasons to do this.

I'm already predicting the double penetration jokes. So my answer is no. How about Canadian Democrats or something?

Or a new social democratic party that isn't involved with the NDP. People are scared of the NDP due to its socialist roots.

SkydivePilot · #3 Posted **Oct 31, 2015, 7:07 PM**

No.

Nouvellecosse · #4 Posted **Oct 31, 2015, 7:19 PM**

And change its official logo to a donkey?

Gresto · #5 Posted **Oct 31, 2015, 7:55 PM**

No.

Docere · #6 Posted **Oct 31, 2015, 8:01 PM**

There was an attempt to do exactly that, but it was voted down at the party's 2009 convention.

Blader · #7 Posted **Oct 31, 2015, 8:04 PM**

IMO, NDP is bred in the bone. It evokes different images to Conservative, Liberal, Green, Bloc, and NDP supporters. But all understand its place in Canadian politics. The only compelling reason would be a merger with another party.

Hali87 · #8 Posted **Oct 31, 2015, 8:05 PM**

Isn't the threat of DP jokes roughly the same now anyway?

Social-Democratic Party would be more accurate, aligns well with Canadian politics and doesn't have the association with the US Democrats.

mistercorporate · #9 Posted **Oct 31, 2015, 8:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hali87

Isn't the threat of DP jokes roughly the same now anyway?

Social-Democratic Party would be more accurate, aligns well with Canadian politics and doesn't have the association with the US Democrats.

The Social Democrats is a great name, from a branding standpoint what that name conjures up could give the Liberals a run for their money.

GernB · #10 Posted **Oct 31, 2015, 9:09 PM**

No. Why adopt a name that has no historicity and will only cause confusion with the American party? If they must change, then Social Democrats, as that's what they claim to be, but best to just leave it alone.

logan5 · #11 Posted **Oct 31, 2015, 9:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

And change its official logo to a donkey?

No donkey, but name recognition is huge and it more directly tells people what the party is about. I don't think it's necessary to put "social" in the name, plus it frightens off some people.

Bernie Sanders is running as Democrat in the U.S. and is Hillary's only competition. Socialism terrifies most Americans and Bernie Sanders is a social democrat. Now that he is under the umbrella of the Democratic Party, he and his policy ideas are taken into much greater consideration. The NDP would benefit in the same way.

Nouvellecosse · #12 Posted **Oct 31, 2015, 9:29 PM**

I don't think that conjuring up images of (increasingly dysfunctional) US politics is the kind of brand recognition they'd want.

vid · #13 Posted **Oct 31, 2015, 9:37 PM**

It would also add confusion. I'm pretty sure the NDP is republican as well (they prefer an elected head of state instead of a hereditary monarchy), so they might as well be called the Republican-Democrats.

Docere · #14 Posted **Oct 31, 2015, 9:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by logan5

Bernie Sanders is running as Democrat in the U.S. and is Hillary's only competition. Socialism terrifies most Americans and Bernie Sanders is a social democrat. Now that he is under the umbrella of the Democratic Party, he and his policy ideas are taken into much greater consideration. The NDP would benefit in the same way.

Wouldn't that be an argument for a Liberal-NDP merger and social democrats working within a "big tent" liberal party (as they do in the US)?

logan5 · #15 Posted **Oct 31, 2015, 9:58 PM**

All the parties are "social" as well. Though there is no need to call the Liberals the Social Liberals or Social Conservatives.

There are Democratic Party's all over the world, so hardly unheard of to have the same party name as the U.S. Democratic Party.

Nouvellecosse · #16 Posted **Oct 31, 2015, 10:09 PM**

^ The problem wouldn't be because it would be unprecedented; it would be because the brand recognition in Canada is strongly attached to US politics.

I mean, the Liberal and Conservative parties are the same name as versions in the UK so sharing names with another country isn't an issue at all. It's simply a matter of what name best serves the party and creates the most favourable public perception.

logan5 · #17 Posted **Oct 31, 2015, 10:14 PM**

Do Canadians perceive Obama and the Democrats in a negative way? I thought the opposite was true.

vid · #18 Posted **Oct 31, 2015, 10:50 PM**

A lot of people here tend to see the US Democrats as centre, not left wing. Many NDPer consider them more in-line with the Liberals than the NDP.

Docere · #19 Posted **Oct 31, 2015, 11:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by logan5

Do Canadians perceive Obama and the Democrats in a negative way? I thought the opposite was true.

No, Obama is very popular in Canada and that's why the NDP considered dropping the "New."

GernB · #20 Posted **Nov 1, 2015, 12:12 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Docere

No, Obama is very popular in Canada and that's why the NDP considered dropping the "New."

Very popular? Maybe in comparison to his immediate predecessor...but I doubt he'd rate highly on any list of "favourite" American politicians any Canadians might have.