"NDP prepares to drop 'socialism' reference"

[Guest Derek L]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/06/17/pol-ndp-friday.html

Delegates to the NDP convention in Vancover are moving toward softening the party's constitution as they sets their sights on the government side of the House of Commons in four years.

A resolution to remove a reference to 'socialism' from the party's constitution has made it through a break-out policy session and will go onto the full plenary session on Saturday, CBC News has learned.

But the resolution narrowly passed in the closed-door workshop session, a source told CBC.

Delegates seemed to be against the preamble and the vote was so close they had to stand up to show how they were voting.

The NDP's national director says the idea is to modernize the language of the constitution rather than change the party's values.

So is this the NDP’s next step into the territory once held by the Liberals? Or is this just “smoke and mirrors” to appear mainstream for the public’s consumption? Could this be the opening throws of a split of the socialist wing and the more “mainstream” part of the caucus? If so, could this lead to a merger of the more centrist part of the NDP with the Grits?

*I'm suprised none of the Dipper's here are talking about the convention yet..

**Though off topic, I find it ironic the NDP is holding their Convention at the Vancouver convention center...the BC NDP tried to hammer the Liberals all through it's construction....also, PCL was the prime contractor, but they used mostly non-union subs on the project...

Edited June 17, 2011 by Derek L

[the C]

so? the NDP base isn't entirely socialist, taking away the word "socialist" would satisfy all its members

[RNG]

so? the NDP base isn't entirely socialist, taking away the word "socialist" would satisfy all its members

I'm not sure I agree, from what I hear from the NDP supporters at my local Legion.

[Guest Derek L]

so? the NDP base isn't entirely socialist, taking away the word "socialist" would satisfy all its members

We had a large discussion here a few months back on the NDP’s “hidden constitution”…..During this discussion it was mentioned by some of the local Dippers here that during the last convention, the socialist caucus was almost a non-entity….So what has changed? If the article is true, the socialists nearly won.

[the C]

I'm not sure I agree, from what I hear from the NDP supporters at my local Legion.

if the NDP wants to be a serious party and effective as Opposition they must broaden their scoop to more then just the Democratic Socialist mantra and open up to liberal and center-leaning ideologues

[the C]

We had a large discussion here a few months back on the NDP’s “hidden constitution”…..During this discussion it was mentioned by some of the local Dippers here that during the last convention, the socialist caucus was almost a non-entity….So what has changed? If the article is true, the socialists nearly won.

thats assuming that the entire socialist base disagreed

[fellowtraveller]

So is this the NDP’s next step into the territory once held by the Liberals? Or is this just “smoke and mirrors” to appear mainstream for the public’s consumption? Could this be the opening throws of a split of the socialist wing and the more “mainstream” part of the caucus? If so, could this lead to a merger of the more centrist part of the NDP with the Grits?

yes, yes, yes and no.

The NDP has nothing to gain by helping the Libs off the mat.

[Guest Derek L]

thats assuming that the entire socialist base disagreed

But would the non-socialist delegates vote to keep the socialist reference? Would the socialist caucus want to rid themselves of the socialist theme? Granted, the only people that truly know are the ones that are there, so that leaves me with what the article says and my personal judgement.

[the C]

But would the non-socialist delegates vote to keep the socialist reference? Would the socialist caucus want to rid themselves of the socialist theme? Granted, the only people that truly know are the ones that are there, so that leaves me with what the article says and my personal judgement.

to be realistic those who are Democratic socialist must realize that in order for their party to grow and become more dominate they must open up to other ideas besides their own, after the fall of the liberals and the conservatives off their leash its almost inevitable

[cybercoma]

Trying to imagine how Quebec would feel if NDP merged with LPC.

[Guest Derek L]

to be realistic those who are Democratic socialist must realize that in order for their party to grow and become more dominate they must open up to other ideas besides their own, after the fall of the liberals and the conservatives off their leash its almost inevitable

So the NDP is going to “muzzle” the socialists within the party? IOW, the NDP is going to become the new Liberal Party of Canada?

[the C]

So the NDP is going to “muzzle” the socialists within the party? IOW, the NDP is going to become the new Liberal Party of Canada?

how is that "muzzling"? their party has been moving toward the center for years and they are just removing the word

nowhere in the story does it say they are dropping socialism

[Jack Weber]

So the NDP is going to “muzzle” the socialists within the party? IOW, the NDP is going to become the new Liberal Party of Canada?

No more than Mr. Harper "muzzling" his more strident (see right wing kook) members...

[Moonlight Graham]

I thought the NDP were more in line with "Social Democracy" that straight socialism?

[the C]

I thought the NDP were more in line with "Social Democracy" that straight socialism?

ding we have a winner

[Guest Derek L]

how is that "muzzling"? their party has been moving toward the center for years and they are just removing the word

nowhere in the story does it say they are dropping socialism

How are the "conservatives off their leash"?

[Guest Derek L]

No more than Mr. Harper "muzzling" his more strident (see right wing kook) members...

Exactly, we learned early that the Gallants of our party had to be seated at the back of the room…..Will the NDP do the same with the Libby Davies of their party?

I get a chuckle over the whole thing, my advice to the NDP, be prepared to be painted with a hidden (socialist) agenda and <insert country’s name> style polices..

[Guest Derek L]

Watching Mr Layton on CBC's P&P......is it me, does it sound like he has a head cold? Anyone know how his fight with cancer is going? (I don't mean this as a jab, just curious)

[Jack Weber]

Watching Mr Layton on CBC's P&P......is it me, does it sound like he has a head cold? Anyone know how his fight with cancer is going? (I don't mean this as a jab, just curious)

He may not have got alot of sleep with all the ruckus going on in Vancouver lately???

[M.Dancer]

so? the NDP base isn't entirely socialist, taking away the word "socialist" would satisfy all its members

Except for the socialist members of which there are many...

http://www.ndpsocialists.ca/

[M.Dancer]

to be realistic those who are Democratic socialist must realize that in order for their party to grow and become more dominate they must open up to other ideas besides their own, after the fall of the liberals and the conservatives off their leash its almost inevitable

When they embrace property rights and the right to work, they may have a slim chance

[Guest Derek L]

He may not have got alot of sleep with all the ruckus going on in Vancouver lately???

It's been quite hear since yesterday morning, I took the dog for a walk this morning down & around Coal Harbour…..When did he fly in? I was wondering if his voice (box) might be affected by any cancer treatment he’s undergoing……I’ve said it before, I don’t like the guys politics, but I still think he’s a likeable guy and I wish him the best with his fight.

[Topaz]

It's been quite hear since yesterday morning, I took the dog for a walk this morning down & around Coal Harbour…..When did he fly in? I was wondering if his voice (box) might be affected by any cancer treatment he’s undergoing……I’ve said it before, I don’t like the guys politics, but I still think he’s a likeable guy and I wish him the best with his fight.

What the specialist told my spouse who had cancer, once you have, if you survived, it will always come back on the road. My mother had it and came back 25 years later and in six months she was gone. Stress is the worse thing to have in your life and the body has a hard time fighting that expecially once you hit 60, which Jack is. He's going to have a lot of stress from the Tories.

[Evening Star]

Broadbent made the point on P&P tonight that in Europe, some of the most progressive left parties are "Social Democratic" parties and some of the most conservative ones are "Socialist" parties.

[RNG]

What the specialist told my spouse who had cancer, once you have, if you survived, it will always come back on the road. My mother had it and came back 25 years later and in six months she was gone. Stress is the worse thing to have in your life and the body has a hard time fighting that expecially once you hit 60, which Jack is. He's going to have a lot of stress from the Tories.

Mrs. RNG worked in the Tom Baker Cancer Centre for 13 years as a clinical dietitian. She tells me your mother's pattern is fairly common. Ironically, the radiation treatments that benefit patients so much also quite typically trigger more/other cancer in about 25 years.

Still not good, but I hope the 25 years she got were good for her.