Federal NDP

As is usually the case, the threat to those who operate within circles of power and electoral politics and who accept the realities of our system has to come from outside. It cannot come from within.

He's a legend now, enshrined in the pantheon of great Canadians, admired by all, a man who transcends partisanship, whose glorious last plea for love and hope touched a nation.

Jack Layton set out to convert the federal New Democratic Party into a governing party, and to steer Canada towards mainstream social democracy. How is that all working out, a year after his passing?

Faithful readers will know that I've spent my adult life trying to get the NDP to be realistic about its modest status in Canadian life.