..change isn't just about who the leader is. look at the processes labour has been/is going through in the uk. the power struggles within the party that results in intensive debate re left vs center, the depth of the leftist leaning platform, the rise of movements to support that platform, the membership involvement in policy making. little if any of this is going on inside the ndp that i can see.
That is very true...and that is largely because the party's braintrust has seemingly been obsessed with keeping the people who would create that ferment the hell out of the party. The people who would create that activity within the party have ended up in the social movements instead, where they have been hugely successful in creating widespread popular support for the type of programs and policies the NDP braintrust is determined to keep the party a hundred kilometres away from.
As a result, there is massive, vibrant energy and enthusiasm in the social movements and, at present, none in the NDP at all. And there is no significant group of voters who are rewarding the NDP for being a passion-free zone and a creativity-free zone.
..the left collective i belonged to in the early 70' was created by disenchanted ndy who left the party voluntarily. the ndp was just not radical enough. many were also involved in the various left groups around wpg such as cp & trots.
..but i don't think that it's all the work of the brain trust today. the same thing was happening with labour during the third way years yet the membership did rise to the occasion when presented with the corbyn platform. the membership of the ndp for the most part are moderates is how i see it.