New Democrats

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday, April 9, 2016 Mulcair and the NDP head into couples therapy at convention Whatever the outcome of this weekend's vote on Tom Mulcair's leadership, it's already apparent that the NDP is a party deeply divided Ñ not just over whether he deserves to stay in the job, but over where the party needs to go. One can't be separated from the other. Mulcair, as we already know, led the New Democrats to a devastating result in the 2015 election. The party lost votes, over half its seats and its status as the Official Opposition in the House of Commons. Worse still, the Liberals vaulted over the NDP in large part because Justin Trudeau out-performed Mulcair during the campaign. But there's a growing sense inside the party that the Liberals really usurped the NDP as the party of choice among progressive voters, with the most obvious example being Trudeau's willingness to run deficits to invest in infrastructure, indigenous communities and health care. Heading into the weekend, the list of those who want a change at the top includes the party's youth wing, its socialist caucus and the president of the Canadian Labour Congress. In a letter released this week, the youth wing urged NDP members to support "a new direction and new style of leadership." It complains that young New Democrats were forced in the last campaign to argue against legalization of marijuana, against Mulcair's participation in a debate on women's issues and, well, on a host of other issues that ran counter to what young people believe. (Continued: CBC) http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/mulcair-chris-hall-leadership-ndp-1.3525911 Canada, politics, leadership, NDP, new democrats, Thomas, Tom, Mulcair, convention, Justin Trudeau, sex, appeal

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday, April 9, 2016

Mulcair and the NDP head into couples therapy at convention

Whatever the outcome of this weekend’s vote on Tom Mulcair’s leadership, it’s already apparent that the NDP is a party deeply divided — not just over whether he deserves to stay in the job, but over where the party needs to go.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday April 2, 2016 Mulcair campaigning ahead of convention Tom Mulcair is no stranger to political campaigns and there is one thing that is clear ahead of the NDP convention next week: he is actively working to keep his job in wake of the party's devastating election results. The level of blame placed on Mulcair's shoulders and whether he will be turfed by his own party, will be tested as rank-and-file members congregate in Edmonton and decide if he should stay or go. NDP President Rebecca Blaikie has suggested 70 per cent is likely the threshold of support needed for Mulcair to stay on, though the party constitution only stipulates a leadership race must be held within one year if asked for by a convention vote of at least 50 per cent plus one. It is a critical moment for New Democrats, who are still very much reeling from the pain of crushing results that reduced the caucus to 44 seats and third place in the Commons. Progressives gathered Friday in Ottawa for the Progress Summit Ñ an annual event sponsored by the institute that is the brainchild of former NDP leader Ed Broadbent. Mulcair, who has spent months meeting party supporters to hear post-election feedback, said some key lessons have emerged in his discussions. "For me, as a party leader, that's been fantastic," Mulcair said Friday. "It is rare for a party leader to be able to sit down with a candidate from a single riding and a small core team. You learn so much about the strength and depth of our team on the organizational, communications, policy side." The NDP now needs to bring more people into the fold, he said. "I want to make sure we throw the doors and the windows of the party wide open ... let in a lot of fresh air and a lot of sunlight, let in a lot more people," he said. "We have to take a much more open-door approach from now on." On the sidelines of the summit, some party members are not convinced Mulcair is the appro

April 2, 2016

One can’t be separated from the other.

Mulcair, as we already know, led the New Democrats to a devastating result in the 2015 election. The party lost votes, over half its seats and its status as the Official Opposition in the House of Commons.

Worse still, the Liberals vaulted over the NDP in large part because Justin Trudeau out-performed Mulcair during the campaign.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday March 19, 2016 Mulcair at risk of ouster by crush of new critics Tom Mulcair doesnÕt come across as the kind of person whoÕd spend much time looking over his shoulder, even if he had to. But these days you have to wonder whether the NDP leader, who celebrates his fourth anniversary as head of the party next week, is taking the time to look both ways before he crosses any political streets between now and his partyÕs convention next month. It would be wrong to say rumblings over MulcairÕs future with the party began only last week. Those rumblings have been a staple of the NDPÕs background noise since its dismal showing in the Oct. 19 election. But with the exception of a well publicized sortie by Ontario NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo in January, and complaints last month from a newly minted Montreal-area riding association president, any I-told-you-sos had been uttered off the record, if only in apparent deference to the panel the party convened to autopsy why things went horribly wrong during the last campaign. Given that the panelÕs findings compelled Mulcair to write a letter of apology to the partyÕs rank and file and take full responsibility for the NDPÕs return to third party status, it wasnÕt entirely surprising to hear the volume turned up last week on the complaints over MulcairÕs leadership. It started when Sid Ryan, former head of the Ontario Federation of Labour, told the Globe and Mail last week that MulcairÕs Òoverbearing personalityÓ made it necessary for the NDP to seek out new leadership. That was followed by letters published in Le Devoir and the Toronto Star this week that didnÕt mention Mulcair by name but may as well have spray painted it in day-glo orange across its text as three defeated MPs and nearly three dozen party activists complained the NDP had come adrift from its ideals and purpose. That missive was quickly followed by a far more specific slam against Mulcair by NDP s

March 19, 2016

But there’s a growing sense inside the party that the Liberals really usurped the NDP as the party of choice among progressive voters, with the most obvious example being Trudeau’s willingness to run deficits to invest in infrastructure, indigenous communities and health care.

Heading into the weekend, the list of those who want a change at the top includes the party’s youth wing, its socialist caucus and the president of the Canadian Labour Congress.

Thursday April 16, 2015

April 16, 2015

In a letter released this week, the youth wing urged NDP members to support “a new direction and new style of leadership.”

It complains that young New Democrats were forced in the last campaign to argue against legalization of marijuana, against Mulcair’s participation in a debate on women’s issues and, well, on a host of other issues that ran counter to what young people believe. (Continued: CBC news)

 

Tuesday September 1, 2015

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Tuesday September 1, 2015 Mulcair can only benefit from claims heÕs not a traditional leftwinger (By Kelly McParland) If I was a conspiracy theorist, IÕd suspect there was a conspiracy under way to covertly boost the image of Thomas Mulcair among non-NDP voters. ThereÕs no question Mulcair has made a real effort to separate himself from the partyÕs loopier policies of the past. You wonÕt hear the word ÒsocialismÓ escape his lips. He has promised a balanced budget Ñ not someday later on, when they get around to it, if circumstances allow, as the Liberals have done. But right away, in the first New Democrat budget after taking office. And heÕs pledged to do it without raising taxes on income. ThatÕs all well and good. But thereÕs also been a series of curious leaks that seem intended to undermine Mulcair by arguing heÕs too conservative, not a real New Democrat but a late convert who adopted the party because it seemed best suited to serve his personal ambition. ItÕs possible the accusations might raise doubts among true NDP believers, who like their politics undiluted by practicality, but they could also have the opposite effect, making him more attractive to voters who might otherwise be disinclined to support the countryÕs traditional left-wing party. In other words, if you believe in conspiracies, you might suspect the leaks are an effort to achieve the opposite of their apparent intention. As the National Post noted recently, Mulcair has been outed for once saying nice things about Margaret Thatcher, of considering an offer to join the Conservatives after quitting QuebecÕs Liberals, of being Òthe most right wingÓ member of that Quebec Liberal caucus, of supporting Quebec business owners against QuebecÕs language police, and of failing to adopt the leftÕs rote opposition to free trade in all its forms. He was also criticized by Ed Broadbent, the NDPÕs current patron saint and elder statesman, w

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday September 1, 2015

Mulcair can only benefit from claims he’s not a traditional leftwinger

Listen to this old dittie from yesteryear as you read on…

(By Kelly McParland) If I was a conspiracy theorist, I’d suspect there was a conspiracy under way to covertly boost the image of Thomas Mulcair among non-NDP voters.There’s no question Mulcair has made a real effort to separate himself from the party’s loopier policies of the past. You won’t hear the word “socialism” escape his lips. He has promised a balanced budget — not someday later on, when they get around to it, if circumstances allow, as the Liberals have done. But right away, in the first New Democrat budget after taking office. And he’s pledged to do it without raising taxes on income.

RB-Mr-InBetween-promo

Available at the boutique

That’s all well and good. But there’s also been a series of curious leaks that seem intended to undermine Mulcair by arguing he’s too conservative, not a real New Democrat but a late convert who adopted the party because it seemed best suited to serve his personal ambition. It’s possible the accusations might raise doubts among true NDP believers, who like their politics undiluted by practicality, but they could also have the opposite effect, making him more attractive to voters who might otherwise be disinclined to support the country’s traditional left-wing party. In other words, if you believe in conspiracies, you might suspect the leaks are an effort to achieve the opposite of their apparent intention.

As the National Post noted recently, Mulcair has been outed for once saying nice things about Margaret Thatcher, of considering an offer to join the Conservatives after quitting Quebec’s Liberals, of being “the most right wing” member of that Quebec Liberal caucus, of supporting Quebec business owners against Quebec’s language police, and of failing to adopt the left’s rote opposition to free trade in all its forms.

He was also criticized by Ed Broadbent, the NDP’s current patron saint and elder statesman, who questioned Mulcair’s leadership skills, accused him of claiming credit for matters he had nothing to do with, and of seeking to change the NDP into “another Liberal party.” Perhaps worst of all, Mulcair is known to be sympathetic to Israel, challenging the party’s status as a safe harbour to all manner of anti-Israel zealots and promoters of boycotts. (Continued: National Post)

 

Alberni Valley Times (British Columbia) September 2, 2015

Alberni Valley Times (British Columbia) September 2, 2015

 

Thursday May 7, 2015

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Thursday May 7, 2015 Alberta election 2015: NDP sings for joy, Harper's caucus like 'morgue' The ballots cast in Alberta on Tuesday didn't have any federal names on them, but Parliament Hill was a study in contrasts the morning after, as New Democrats cheered, Conservatives lamented and Liberals refocused on the ever-changing road toward this fall's election. "There's only good news in this," a jubilant Tom Mulcair told his federal NDP caucus, trying to feed off the momentum for his own future campaign, with cameras capturing cheers and chanting. Mulcair said his party had a "spring in our step" and was extremely proud of Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley's campaign. The mood across the hall in the Conservative caucus room Ñ absent Stephen Harper, who was still travelling home from yesterday's VE Day celebrations Ñ featured many shades of blue. "I had some questions if the sun was going to rise this morning," said Manitoba MP Steven Fletcher. "And when it did, there was an orange tinge to it. Very disconcerting." The normally message-managed Tory caucus emerged for the media's post-mortems Wednesday working through various stages of fear, denial, blame and regret. "It was more like a morgue. Someone said it was like Ñ it's Albertastan now," said Justice Minister Peter MacKay. "Having lived through the experience federally when Conservatives [were] divided, it is a recipe for losing, period," MacKay said. "There has been, shall we say, an exchange of members over the last number of weeks," he said, noting that not just the Alberta result but the majority Liberal result Monday in Prince Edward Island was "very informative Ñ instructive, in fact." (Source: CBC News) http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/alberta-election-2015-ndp-sings-for-joy-harper-s-caucus-like-morgue-1.3063472 Canada, Stephen Harper, Alberta, Edvard Munch, painting, parody, The Scream, NDP, New Democrats, election, orange

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday May 7, 2015

Alberta election 2015: NDP sings for joy, Harper’s caucus like ‘morgue’

The ballots cast in Alberta on Tuesday didn’t have any federal names on them, but Parliament Hill was a study in contrasts the morning after, as New Democrats cheered, Conservatives lamented and Liberals refocused on the ever-changing road toward this fall’s election.

“There’s only good news in this,” a jubilant Tom Mulcair told his federal NDP caucus, trying to feed off the momentum for his own future campaign, with cameras capturing cheers and chanting.

Mulcair said his party had a “spring in our step” and was extremely proud of Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley’s campaign.

2011-2015

2011-2015

The mood across the hall in the Conservative caucus room — absent Stephen Harper, who was still travelling home from yesterday’s VE Day celebrations — featured many shades of blue.

“I had some questions if the sun was going to rise this morning,” said Manitoba MP Steven Fletcher. “And when it did, there was an orange tinge to it. Very disconcerting.”

The normally message-managed Tory caucus emerged for the media’s post-mortems Wednesday working through various stages of fear, denial, blame and regret.

“It was more like a morgue. Someone said it was like — it’s Albertastan now,” said Justice Minister Peter MacKay.

“Having lived through the experience federally when Conservatives [were] divided, it is a recipe for losing, period,” MacKay said.

“There has been, shall we say, an exchange of members over the last number of weeks,” he said, noting that not just the Alberta result but the majority Liberal result Monday in Prince Edward Island was “very informative — instructive, in fact.” (Source: CBC News)

 

Published in the St John’s Telegram, Gull Lake Advance (Saskatchewan), L’Acadie Nouvelles, Edmonton Journal