"They voted for Jack Layton. Jack Layton is dead."

Jan 10, 2012 12:18

So. This happened.

Is it an aberration? A preview of things to come?

What effect will it have on the NDP leadership race, if any?

Leave a comment

Comments 10

jawnbc January 11 2012, 18:43:16 UTC
If she was a loyal NDP member for 10 years, why would she object to NDP policies which have become MORE centrist than before Layton's leadership.

My theory's much simpler: it's Chrétien's former riding and she's trying to play the odds (that the NDP will lose seats, possible a lot of seats, in the next general election). If she had any real politic instincts she'd've waited until the leadership selection was complete.

Or she's suffering from "don't you know who I am" syndrome.

Whatever. Don't let the door hit your arse too hard on the way out.

Reply

sorceror January 11 2012, 19:27:01 UTC
I'm not convinced that she's doing this out of desire for a political career. As mentioned elsewhere, she's in her seventies, and was just treated for a serious disease. It's also pretty clear that she never expected to win in the first place ( ... )

Reply

jawnbc January 11 2012, 21:43:09 UTC
But if she's ill, why didn't she resign her seat and allow a by-election?

Reply

sorceror January 11 2012, 22:58:03 UTC

Her treatment was successful (or so she claims?), so health isn't an *immediate* concern - it shouldn't prevent her from doing her job. It just seems to me that after having lived through a life-threatening illness, she probably isn't thinking much in terms of worldly ambitions. Instead, I'd expect it to motivate her to do what she truly believes to be the right thing, without considerations of personal gain.

I could certainly be wrong about that, of course.

Reply


Leave a comment

Up