In the absence of a strong real Left alternative Canadians have returned to the familiar post WW2 pattern of seeing the Liberal Party as the more moderate, realistic option to the Tories.
Michael Ignatieff now re-appears as the clear and obvious party-candidate of those who still adhere to capitalist political parties. Jack Layton's right-wing reformist/accomodationist tactic has brought the federal NDP down to to 12% national support - substantially less than the fraction obtained in the 1980s under Ed Broadbent's leadership.
Will the Liberals always and for ever remain Canada's natural Party of governance or will a Socialist bloc emerge from the people's movements and the NDP rank and file to represent an anti-capitalist, socialist alternative to the corporate agenda for Canada?...
In any case, the writing is on the wall for Mr Layton: because of his leadership and socialisme sans doctrine the NDP is an even more marginal force in federal politics than it was a generation ago.
Working families are saying no to Latyon's "Liberals-in-a-hurry" NDP. Will the NDP play it safe and stick to Layton's centrist pseudo-Obamaot "uniting" message? Or will they return to the political position of The Regina Manifesto and its socialist message?
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Take a guess
Also, I have no idea why I get emails from Jack Layton, but I got a "good" one the other day.
"My fellow New Democrat,
I invite you to join me - and thousands of New Democrats from across Canada - in Halifax this August. Together we'll build our movement and lay the foundations for winning the next election.
Barack Obama's inner circle is on board. Winnipeg New Democrats like Premier Gary Doer are on board. Now I'm asking you to help me build our breakthrough."
Yes, I got the same note. Still - how normal that they cast a wide net over everyone - including the left Opposition.
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