The focus is on winning power which ironically is exactly what is standing in the way of the NDP actually winning power.That's almost Zen. "Only by avoiding power can you win it".
Meanwhile, the Conservatives: "Oh, we wanted it and for over a decade we got it and loved it. And quote me on this: we want it again".
When Layton developed the policy of moving towards the centre and changing the language of the party it was within the context of the times. Fighting trade deals and pipelines would have been a waste of time and killed any chances of electoral success. Words like socialism were the political kiss of death.
Now the left is gaining strength worldwide. It is shocking to me that Corbyn managed to rise in the UK, and Sanders in the US, but the NDP can't find a leader like that. I don't believe that in all of Canada there isn't a person out there that could inspire Canadians to believe in a better future for ourselves and the world.
When the Liberals were dying, from the Martin loss on, moving to the centre was a good strategy. It almost worked. I recall when Trudeau first decided to run for the leadership it was said that he had wanted to wait four more years but decided he couldn't wait. He was right. Had he waited I think there is a good chance the NDP would have won under Mulcair and the Liberals would be on life support. But Trudeau didn't wait, and that was then and this is now. The chance to win power by replacing the Liberal party is gone. Surely you see that? Playing it safe to win power is the exact way not to win. There has never been a better time for the left to take a risk by being true to what it genuinely believes needs to happen to secure the future of Canadians. We need trade deals that include mimimum taxes for corporations and minimum work standards. We need a political party willing to say so. We need investment in renewable energy sources not pipelines. To me these are no-brainers and there are many Canadians that either agree or would agree if a political party existed that championed those issues.