We’ve all seen left-wing parties trim policies once in power, or after a heavy defeat, but what about on the back of electoral success?
Canada’s New Democrats (NDP) became the country’s official opposition for the first time in May’s election after sweeping gains – up from 37 to 102 seats in Parliament. They replaced a shambolic Liberal Party – led by Michael Ignatieff – and nearly wiped out the separatist Bloc Québecois in French-speaking Québec on an appeal to “soft” nationalists.
Can the party sustain its momentum and establish the strong opposition voice Canada has lacked? New Democrats are under pressure to act “responsibly” and abandon many cherished policies. Already, there have been rumbles about removing “socialist” from the party’s constitution. So far, the NDP has steered a steady course, defending workers in a postal dispute – so maintaining its union links with the Canadian Labour Congress (Canada’s TUC) – and its many inexperienced Québec MPs have avoided first-year mistakes.
The right-wing Conservative government, buoyed by its first majority in 20 years, is committed to a “review” (in other words, cuts) of welfare and public services, as well as cuts in immigration and against protecting the environment.
To maintain credibility, it is argued, the NDP needs to show it can manage the economy – roughly translated as keeping capitalism afloat. While Canada did not suffer through the banking crisis as most Western countries, largely because of tighter regulations, that won’t stop the Tories favouring the private sector with cuts in corporate taxes and opening up services to greater competition.
The Tories broke Kyoto targets designed to tackle climate change. Now the world is watching how they exploits Alberta’s vast tar sands oil reserves. The NDP’s programme includes restoring global warming targets, stricter controls on oil sands development, renewable energy programmes and stopping subsidies to fossil fuels.
After softening their line on immigration during the election, the Tories have since announced a crackdown. The NDP has argued for recognition of the benefits of immigration, particularly reuniting families, and speeding up procedures.
Canada stayed out of the Iraq war, but not Afghanistan. The NDP is no longer a lone voice against that war as the country’s troops are returning home.
It is on health that the NDP should find most resonance with voters. The party that introduced Canada’s first universal healthcare service in the 1940s will have a tough fight to save services, as siren voices call on it to follow European left-wing parties and go for a “mixed economy” provision.
The party faces an immediate challenge, however, as charismatic leader Jack Layton takes time off to fight cancer. With typical bravado, he has proposed first-time Québec MP Nycole Turmel as interim leader over two established deputies. A long-time women’s rights activist, she should also show that the NDP is serious about reflecting Québec voters’ concerns.
This is a critical time for the NDP – one that will determine its future for a generation.
A version of this article will appear in the autumn newsletter of the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy
