On threshold questions
Althia Raj is predictably dispensing Lib talking points about the potential outcomes of the NDP's leadership review. So to set the record straight, let's examine what the numbers actually mean.There's…
NDP
But what if FPTP isn’t broke?
You almost hate to ask the question. What is wrong with the way Canadians vote? There seems to be an assumption by some people that first-past-the-post (FPTP) voting is a…
On permanent campaigns
Luke Savage is right to point out that Canada's permanent campaign has merely taken on a different dynamic under the Trudeau Libs, rather than actually coming to an end with…
Knock it off, Tom, it wasn’t the niqab
I am a long-time member of the NDP but not, I'm afraid, a member of the Tom Mulcair fan club. I didn't support his election to leader primarily because I've…
Turning a Fail into a Win…
Mulcair takes responsibility for failed election campaign in letter to NDP supporters Mulcair wants to remain NDP leader promising not to repeat mistakes of 2015 election By Kristy Kirkup, The…
New column day
Here, expanding on this post as to Nathan Cullen's proposal to make sure the outcomes of all plausible electoral systems are taken into account in designing a new one. For…
Thursday Morning Links
This and that for your Thursday reading.- Sally Goemer writes that extreme inequality is a cause of economic instability for everybody. And Tom Powdrill discusses the importance of organized labour…
The perils of political predictions in by-elections
A friend called the other evening. He wanted to know who would win tonight’s provincial by-election in Christine Elliott’s former electoral district of Whitby-Oshawa. Once again we had to patiently…
Saskatchewan Royalty Is Oil?
The debate rages in Saskatchewan now about if federal money should go directly to oil companies and contractors capable of sealing defunct oil wells abandoned by irresponsible and ancient corporations.…
On double majorities
Nathan Cullen's proposal for party representation on the Parliamentary committee reviewing electoral reform has received plenty of attention. But it might actually go much further than advertised to validate the…
On oversimplification
One could hardly design a more stark contrast between the complex realities of politics and the media's tendency to portray them in appallingly simplified terms than Althia Raj's report on…
New column day
Here, with my take on the factors NDP members should take into account in evaluating Tom Mulcair's leadership.For further reading...- I've written numerous previous posts on the future of Mulcair…
On timing
Following up on the subject of the federal NDP's leadership, I'll note that the Edmonton convention won't figure to be the only one before the next federal election - and…
On organization
Given some of the odd twists and turns in Paul Wells' latest piece on Tom Mulcair's future, I'm hesitant to give too much credence to his unnamed sources. But to…
On relativity
Since we're seeing another wave of hysteria about Tom Mulcair's support in the general public as the NDP's convention approaches, let's check in with the main poll being cited for…
On strategic choices
Christopher Kam's series of posts on political parties' strategy surrounding electoral reform is definitely worth a read. But I'll stand by the view that there's another alternative interpretation of the…
Rabble Poll On NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair’s Leadership
This is the second loss for the NDP when leading out of the gate. In both cases the professional corporate spinners such as Hill and Knowlton’s Brad Lavigne and of…
NDP Resolution? Shave the Beard
On January 1st, many greet the New Year armed with a resolution meant to improve themselves. As people are creatures of habit they often fail, but there is surely merit in recognizing where…
On rebuilding steps
I've posted before about the NDP's strong progressive stance since the October election - which looks to be a positive move in terms of principles and politics alike. But there's…
On voting from experience
If I have any concern with Nathan Cullen's suggestion that Canada hold a referendum on electoral reform only after seeing a different system in action, it's that it may concede…