The Ginger Project: The Ginger Project Present: The NDP and Party Democracy
The Ginger Project Presents:The NDP and Party Democracy
The Library Pub, Toronto, Wednesday, April 7th, 7 p.m.
A little over a year ago, the Ginger Project was initiated by New Democrats concerned by the current state of the Ontario New Democratic Party. The concerns expressed by the Project's participants primarily related to two areas: the lack of a public policy platform document available between and during elections and the state of party democracy.
Since those initial meetings, events have occurred that suggest to us that in both these areas objective conditions have become worse, not better. Within the last two weeks, we have heard of a potential Federal NDP candidate disqualified for making critical comments of the party. In addition, we have seen the Ontario NDP Executive extend its term and, quite possibly unconstitutionally, delay its convention, in a vote conducted by e-mail, seemingly without quorum, and apparently without any objective observers to count the votes.
Both of these actions are profoundly undemocratic. They suggest a disturbing type of party leadership; one that expects their members to tolerate infractions of the rules, when committed by their leaders, with silence, if not approval (while reaching for our cheque books of course), while holding any who are not of the ruling clique to a totally different standard.
We are inviting all New Democrats who are concerned with these, or other issues with their party, as well as other like minded individuals, to a public meeting at The Library Pub, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday April 7th. If the party leadership won't have a discussion regarding it's own voting processes, then we will! Agree with those who think the party has made a terrible mistake or not, you are welcome here. We always practice democracy at our events!
It is our responsibility to have that discussion ourselves.
We want to hear how all New Democrats or like-minded leftists feel about these incredibly important issues. Our views do make a difference.
Join us.
We hope to see you all there!
(p.s. if you are on Facebook click here to link to the Facebook event page!)