What happened to that policy question about co-operating with the Greens?

15 posts / 0 new

Tue, 2009-08-18 01:10

Interested Observer Interested Observer's picture

I don't even know where to look for the results of which resolutions passed or not. Not that I'm interested in any merger mind you. I'm more interested in whether that motion was even discussed and what were the results.

If it didn't even come up, then I'll ask a broader question:

What would it take for progressives and others interested in democracy to cooperate (while temporarily settling their differences) on getting a government elected Federally that would tackle Electoral Reform (not pandering to it either), and what can WE do about it?

Note: Please do not suggest simply voting NDP as that will not address my question. It also has no real possibility of success as there are too many who simply do not agree with your fundamental policies (who may agree with ER however). However, in no way am I saying that voting NDP is not part of the solution.

Cheers,

Tue, 2009-08-18 01:34

remind

Strategic voting talk already? Wow!

Tue, 2009-08-18 03:16

scott

Cooperation could involve much more than strategic voting. In any case the talk is not "already" but "still". I remember this being discussed in the early days of babble.

Tue, 2009-08-18 05:07

KenS

It gets discussed periodically, and always go nowhere because there's no basis for it, except the appeal of the idea.

Its not a question of few interested from either side, just that the people who [understandably] like the idea pay no attention to how it would undermine both parties... chalking that up to 'lack of will'. Etc.

Tue, 2009-08-18 08:46

marzo

I didn't know that there was any serious discussion among NDs about co-operating with the Greens. When I have listened to Green candidates and members it seems that their policies are not fully-formed and rely too much on businesses to take environmentalist initiatives. I respect people in the Green party and I have nothing against Elizabeth May but I think they have along way to go before they can put together a realistic plan that can improve the health of the biosphere.

Sadly, I think it's probably too late to stop the impending environmental catastrophe and too many people don't take environmentalism seriously. Modern civilization seems hopelessly addicted to this industrial/economic system.

Tue, 2009-08-18 10:35

mmphosis

Proposal:

In the absence of electoral reform, I suggest that we take a clue from the coalition of Ignatieff's Liberals aka the neo Liberals and the Reform Alliance aka the new Conservatives. I think it's unfortunate that our electoral system is all about "winning." An alliance and coalition of Democrats and Greens into a single party may be what is necessary to bring electoral reform and other real benefits.

Policy differences:

Although the Greens claim to be social, obviously the Green policy is to put the earth first. And although the NDP talks about the environment, obviously the NDP puts people first. If we can put aside these differences and even combine our efforts collectively to put both people and environment first, perhaps a coalition alliance is possible.

A Green Party on it's own, and a socialist Democratic Party on it's own are not getting very far. A Left Green Party sounds appealing to me. How about you?

Tue, 2009-08-18 12:00

remind

What is a coalition alliance?

Tue, 2009-08-18 17:02

mmphosis

remind wrote:

What is a coalition alliance?

A coalition alliance is my lack for better words. Mayhaps "co-operating" is a better word.

There used to be a Party called the Alliance formerly called Reform which is now effectively in a coalition with the Ignatieff Liberals.

Tue, 2009-08-18 23:02

NorthReport

Groups meet all the time to explore alliances, mergers, etc. Have the NDP and the Greens ever formally sat down together to explore this.

I'm not talking about Layton and May getting together over lunch here.

What's the downside for the NDP to explore this, apart from the fact that Greens are not necessarily progressive on issues apart from the environment.

Wed, 2009-08-19 00:06

#10

Wilf Day

Interested Observer wrote:
I'm more interested in whether that motion was even discussed and what were the results.

The riding of New Brunswick Southwest (a few suburbs of Saint John and Fredericton, with a lot of rural area in between) submitted a resolution to initiate discussions with the Green Party to consider a merger, possibly beginning with an electoral alliance in the next federal election.

The resolutions committee gave it a priority of 26 out of 35 in Panel 7. No one proposed moving it up. It was then never reached in that panel. As a resolution "unmoved" in the panel, it disappears from further consideration.

Wed, 2009-08-19 00:22

#11

NorthReport

Thanks Wilf.

When and where is the next Convention?

And where and how often does the National Council meet?

Wed, 2009-08-19 03:32

#12

Doug

NorthReport wrote:
What's the downside for the NDP to explore this, apart from the fact that Greens are not necessarily progressive on issues apart from the environment.

It would turn into a discussion all about how to elect Elizabeth May somewhere. I'm sure everyone working for the NDP has better things to do like clearing a paper jam from the photocopy machine.

Wed, 2009-08-19 04:39

#13

Debater

mmphosis wrote:

remind wrote:

What is a coalition alliance?

A coalition alliance is my lack for better words. Mayhaps "co-operating" is a better word.

There used to be a Party called the Alliance formerly called Reform which is now effectively in a coalition with the Ignatieff Liberals.

That "coalition" may be coming to an end soon.

Wed, 2009-08-19 10:56

#14

Lard Tunderin Jeezus Lard Tunderin Jeezus's picture

Debater wrote:

That "coalition" may be coming to an end soon.

...merely a lover's quarrel, I'm sure.

Thu, 2009-08-20 20:08

#15

remind

It's doubtful the Conservative and Liberal coalition will stop anytime soon, given Ignatief's and the Liberals continued slide in the polls. And Stornoway is as good of a castle as any, and indeed he need not worry about heavy things like running the country, as his Countness still gets to live in the manor born style, and without hassles.