With the Nova Scotian NDP polling in majority territory, the party’s supporters are ecstatic at the prospect that their party, long on the outside of the provincial halls of government, may now have their hand on the reins of "Canada's Ocean Playground".
However, despite their success so far, supporters of the NDP should pause for a moment and ask themselves what’s more important: The Party or The Policy?
Before any NDP fans start assuming I’m trumpeting the same “risky NDP” line the Tories have been trumpeting this whole election, my problem with the NDP isn’t that they’re “too left”, it’s that they’re “not left enough”, or more appropriately, they have shown a lack of vision with respect to most policy areas their party has traditionally supported.
Dexter and the NDP have been called out by media outlets from the Globe and Mail, the Chronicle Herald, and even Halifax’s independent weekly “The Coast” as having moderated substantially from other incarnations of the party. Darrel Dexter is no Jack Layton, nor (for the benefit of my Albertan leaders) is he Brian Mason. He is, as he describes himself in a recent Coast article, a “conservative progressive”.
It’s a description that’s apt. The NDP’s platform is cautious, with both the Canadian Federation of Students and the Alliance of Nova Scotia Student Associations calling out the NDP over the lack of a post-secondary education vision. With the abandoning of what is often a core platform plank of the NDP, Mr. Dexter and his supporters are left with something of a Catch-22 if they form the next government on June 9th.
If the NDP adopt an expanded policy agenda beyond the pamphlet that their team released, you can bet that there will be talk of a “hidden agenda” next election, and accusations that the government doesn’t have a mandate to enact different a broad range of different policies, as they didn’t present them to the electorate.
However if this more “electable” version of the NDP continues along the more moderate path, then what becomes of the traditional “base” of the party, who will no doubt feel that they were sold out for a chance at the Premier’s office? If the Greens ever get their act together, the NDP could find themselves outflanked by a reasonable alternative on the left on issues like the environment – the Liberals already have them on education.
So to those excited about the prospect of an NDP government in Nova Scotia, the question is, what’s more important? The party, or the policy?
max cleland: the forever war of the mind
2 hours ago
7 comments:
"Darrel Dexter is no Jack Layton, nor (for the benefit of my Albertan leaders) is he Brian Mason. He is, as he describes himself in a recent Coast article, a “conservative progressive”."
Your argument ignores (either intentionally or strategically) the fact that the province of Nova Scotia is fairly crippled by accumaoted deficits from both PC and Liberal previous administrations.
Dexter and the New Democrats will effectively be financially hobbled by the massiva and oppressive DEBT that sits on the shoulders of every citizen in your province.
It is highly unfair of you to go after Dexter in the manner that you have ignoring what he simply cannot ignore! It's called 12 BILLION that must be serviced with interest payments that are likely to the second or third highest single expenditure of the NS government.
Nice try.
Must say that I concur with Leftdog. The reality is the fiscal mess Dexter will inherit necessarily precludes his promising the moon in the midst of a debt laden monsoon. While many of us would like to believe it is possible for a political party to deliver on all its core principles immediately after winning office - such is not always possible. Under the circumstances, it must be pragmatism first, policy second, and party always third.
As for Dexter not being Layton, Leftdog may disagree(?) but all I can say is "Thank God for small mercies!" NS needs a Layton like a hole in the head. Again, pragmatism first.
Fat Arse and I agree that the agenda of a new government simply must pragmatically deal with the reality of Nova Scotia's financial problems. When the NDP came to power in Saskatchewan in 1991, they inherited a $14 Billion debt from the outgoing PC's. The deficit was brought under control then the Debt was chipped away at.
They key challenge that the NDP had in Saskatchewan was managaing 'expectations' from everyone who wanted MORE funds for their own pet projects and priorities.
Historically, whether Manitoba or Sask., the NDP has operated fiscally. When Tommy Douglas came to power in Sask., he ensured the prov govt was in good shape financially before introducing provincial medicare.
You know you should really check which party in power has operated financially well - and provincially (we have not been in power federally) it is the NDP, over both the cons and the libs.
I think they asked the same "party or policy" question in this last BC election, however, it still seems that Dexter is leagues past James in terms of quality NDP leaders.
I also have to agree a bit with leftdog, Fat Arse and Jan. It may just take time to achieve the social democracy we all want, especially with the shit we get left by other governments (imagine the crap that Mason would have to deal with if he were granted a majority tomorrow - perhaps by a genie - after the roughly past 100 years of centre to right wing governments).
I'll admit that perhaps the fact that I'm used to Albertan politics, where the government has more money at its disposal, may have tainted my policy expectations of the different parties. That said, if you want to get the province on the path towards long term financial stability, stop the flow of talent westward, and provide a decent PSE strategy.
I wasn't impressed with the NDP's PSE platform, and apparently neither were CFS or ANSSA.
Leftdog: you say "Nice try" like I have some inherent bias against the NDP, which is not the case.
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