NDP Leadership Campaign

The table officers of the NDP are meeting this week to discuss whatever table officers discuss - that probably includes an attempt by a former provincial secretary and by one of the largest public sector unions to force a change in the date of the leadership convention. Their argument is that a period for membership recruitment would be beneficial, as would a delay that might help encourage some municipal office holders. Members will remember how constructive the last bulk membership signup was to the party, complete with the release of membership lists to the news media and allegations of signing up people without their knowledge.

Currently the NDP's leadership convention is scheduled for November 21-23, 2003. Joy MacPhail said that she is not running. Those who want to change the date haven't bothered to ask MacPhail if she wants to stay on for additional months as they work out their agendas. It could be that internal politics of that sort contributed to MacPhail's decision, and it might well affect the decision of any serious candidate who is contemplating succeeding her. Who needs it?

Gordon Campbell has never revealed who financed his takeover of the BC Liberal party. He took what Gordon Wilson built, and those who paid for the takeover remain in the shadows, but no party can get away with that today. The BC Elections Act currently applies to leadership campaigns for registered political parties. That means that each leadership candidate, and the party, must file financial statements with Elections BC and disclose the names of anyone who donates over $250.

In addition to the requirements of the BC Elections Act, the BC NDP has further tough rules. In order to be nominated a candidate must make a $3,500 non-refundable deposit with the party's provincial office, and the candidate must file a nomination petition with over 100 signatures - at least 20 from each of five different constituencies. Leaderships campaigns must operate within a $150,000 spending limit. In other words, folks who aren't serious shouldn't fool around with a pretend campaign.

While I believe that the NDP needs new blood for both leader and as candidates in the constituencies where the party might be competitive, my list of potential successors to MacPail includes at least one former MLA. Parksville lawyer Leonard Krog might be interested, and he would probably do a good job. Another lawyer and former president of the party, Bruce Ralston, would be an excellent candidate. Rumours have it that two term member of the North Vancouver City council, Craig Keating, might also be interested. Other credible candidates are bound to emerge well before the convention, but a nasty fight over the convention date and rules could discourage anyone with credibility from having anything to do with the contest.

Since May 16, 2001, when the NDP was nearly wiped off the face of BC's political map, people have known that the NDP would face a leadership convention. Those who are now arguing over the convention date are only demonstrating that they have been sitting on their hands for the past two years rather than putting their energies into rebuilding the party.