Previewing the race for leadership of the NDP
Posted March 21, 2012 11:44 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Less than four months after Jack Layton helped lead the New Democratic Party to the spot of Official Opposition, the late leader died after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Seven months later, seven contenders remain in the race to take the helm of the NDP, at what many consider a key time for the party.
Several key issues remain, including how the NDP and its new leader will manage to hang on to their new popular surge in Quebec.
As such, it’s expected that fluency in French will be a major consideration at the vote.
Another major issue will likely centre around the future of the party, and whether the current direction will give them the best opportunity to win seats.
There have been some suggestions that a few of the leadership candidates, namely Thomas Mulclair and Nathan Cullen, may work closer with the Liberals or move the party more toward the political centre.
Meanwhile, Paul Dewar, Peggy Nash and Brian Topp have painted themselves as more traditionally left members of the NDP.
Candidate Niki Ashton is well respected out west, while candidate Martin Singh has his support base in the east of the nation.
Several former party members have thrown their support toward candidates, but it remains to be seen how much influence they may have.
The vote is expected to take place in Toronto on Friday, while the results are expected to be released early Saturday morning.
