The significance of the election of Andrea Horwath to lead Ontario's New Democrats, the first woman to do so, is itself a noteworthy and historic outcome. Her combative style and stress on issues of particular concern to Ontario's working class was indeed at times inspiring. Can the party's structural, cultural and electoral atrophy be reversed? Perhaps. We should hope so. The socialist Left outside of the NDP (and of course those inside the party) has no interest in seeing the party further weakened. Indeed, by virtue of being the leader of a major political party, she can give voice to issues, perspectives and solutions to public problems that force a questioning of neoliberalism and perhaps even capitalism.
ONDP leadership race: a socialist view
Mon, 2009-03-23 05:31
#1
ONDP leadership race: a socialist view
Mon, 2009-03-23 07:10
#2
I was just about to post that! Very thought-provoking article IMO. I hope its sanguine view of Horwath, or rather of the possibilities for change that she represents, turns out to be true. But in any event, it can't hurt to have a young female leader who doesn't sound like the president of the Chamber of Commerce.
Mon, 2009-03-23 12:18
#3
Horwath is talking a good line so far, with the exception of her horrible position on Catholic school funding. But the party itself needs more than just a leadership change.