Chow to follow husband’s footsteps, run for NDP leader?
Posted August 29, 2011 8:57 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – As the NDP begins to look forward from the loss of motivational leader Jack Layton, one of its main priorities will be finding a new leader to take over the reigns.
Recent buzz has included Olivia Chow, Layton’s wife and also a respected politician of her own right, as a potential candidate to help advance Layton’s vision for the party and the country.
Many political experts, including 680’s own political affairs specialist John Stall, believe Chow would certainly be a contender should she decide to run for the job.
After Stall mentioned the idea on Twitter, Toronto city councillor Josh Matlow weighed in on the issue, saying the one negative was that Chow doesn’t speak French.
Stall countered by saying that Chow speaks “Layton,” which as the events of the previous week indicated, clearly means something to Canadians.
Chow also speaks Mandarin and Cantonese, two of the most commonly used languages among Chinese Canadians.
Some have taken Chow’s taped comments at Layton’s funeral as an indication that she plans to continue pursuing her political path.
“Let’s look forward, look at what we can accomplish together, to make sure Jack’s voice is not silenced,” Chow said.
The NDP caucus will gather in Ottawa Monday to begin preparing its legislative strategy and to consider when they would potentially hold a leadership vote in the new year.
Speaking to people at the corner of Yonge and Bloor Streets Monday morning, opinions appeared split on Chow’s future.
“She could keep the momentum going that the NDP has had,” one person said.
“I think just because of the unfortunate situation of her husband, doesn’t necessarily mean that’s credentials for the next level,” another said.
“She has done some great things and probably will continue to do some amazing things, but if the timing is right? I don’t know right now, I don’t think so,” another said.
Some of the other names floating around include Quebec MP Thomas Mulcair, Gary Doer and even former Toronto mayor David Miller.
