https://socialistaction.org/2018/03/20/canada-ndp-tops-couldnt-stifle-convention-delegates/
Canada: NDP tops couldn’t stifle convention delegates
/ 3 days ago
March 2018 Jagmeet Singh
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh: “über-control tactics.”
By BARRY WEISLEDER
The Feb. 16-18 convention in Ottawa was not just a gathering to “launch”
Jagmeet Singh as the new leader of the labour-based New Democratic
Party. It was an effort, not entirely successful, to assert his control
over the entire apparatus and to impose a milquetoast political message.
In that sense, it was very Jack Laytonesque—a highly centralized PR
effort designed to avoid controversy, and thus, geared to stifle
meaningful debate.
It started with the party brass relegating progressive motions, endorsed
by dozens of local NDP district associations, on issues of party
democracy, the Middle East, NATO, NAFTA, new pipelines, tuition-free
college education, public ownership, progressive taxation, etc., to the
bottom of policy priority lists. That ensured they’d never be debated on
the convention floor. Preliminary workshops, held early Friday morning
to consider amendments to the bureaucratically determined priorities
lists, were stacked by the right wing and burdened with plentiful
procedural obstacles.
Nonetheless, there were points of sharp resistance, even some small
breakthroughs for the rank and file, among whom were hundreds of young,
first-time delegates. That was the music of the future.
At the foreign policy panel, with over 400 folks crowding the room, a
motion to top-rank a soft pro-Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (against
apartheid Israel) resolution was debated. It failed by only 11 votes. In
other panels, motions to move up policies on free education and for
internet input from NDP members on policy priorities, were hard
fought—and won.
A number of the 1751 registered convention delegates expressed visceral
discontent with the stonewalling and obstructionism evident all around
them. They used points of order and procedural arguments to attempt to
short circuit establishment resolutions in plenary sessions.
March 2018 NDP Soc. Caucus
The Socialist Caucus met in December 2017 to prepare resolutions for the
NDP Convention.
Socialist Caucus supporters avoided such tactics—with one notable
exception. We did challenge the blatant bullying and domineering tactics
employed by Jagmeet’s henchmen (who tried to seize control of all the
mics, pro and con, and to silence voices for Palestine in the debate
Saturday night on World Affairs), and we did this rather successfully.
As a result, the case of 17-year-old Palestinian political prisoner Ahed
Tamimi, jailed by Israel for “embarrassing the Occupation,” gained
national TV exposure. It drew media coverage to the over 100 mostly
young delegates who defiantly stood in a long double line across the
center of the convention holding aloft “Free Tamimi” placards.
ISRAEL-PALESTINIAN-CONFLICT-TAMIMI
Over 100 delegates held placards demanding that Israel free Ahed Tamimi
(above).
The SC even helped to win a majority (558 votes, 56.1 per cent) in
favour of adding 30 minutes to the plenary time for debate on the Middle
East topic. Sadly, we just fell short of the 2/3 super-majority required
for that agenda modification. The policy adopted—a status quo,
blame-both-sides-for-the-violence, antiquated two-state solution
statement—left many folks wondering what happened to lawyer Jagmeet
Singh’s vaunted commitment to civil liberties.
As time ticked down, the socialists did not try to rush through equity
policy resolutions, even though the non-controversial motions (such as a
name change for a party committee) prevented more contentious issues
from being addressed. Needless to say, we voted for all the
equity-seeking resolutions.
The SC did try to streamline proceedings, to provide more time for
policy debate, by attempting to amend the agenda at the opening of
convention. While we did not win that vote, the attempt contributed to a
later success for the resolution pushed by Courage to find better means
to determine resolution priorities. Unfortunately, the ultimately
adopted measure consisted merely of a research project on the use of the
internet for gathering membership input. As a result, there will be no
change in the existing, exceedingly corrupt, manipulative,
priority-setting mechanism going into the next convention. Maybe there
will be at the one after that.
Many delegates (certainly those not enamored with incrementalism at a
snail’s pace) thanked me and other SC comrades for trying to amend the
agenda. Clearly, the numerous guest speakers and informative showcases
could have been scheduled for night-time sessions. Wouldn’t it have been
nice to enjoy an educational alternative to the $300 a plate Ignite
dinner with the Leader, and to the so-called “free” socials replete with
expensive bar prices?
Clearly, the rank and file will continue to fight for greater democracy
in the NDP. That will include the struggle for an agenda that devotes at
least 70% of convention time to policy debate, not the miserable 42%
seen at conventions of the past three decades. And it can be predicted
with confidence that at the next convention the NDP will emerge with a
pro-BDS policy—an outcome unimaginable just a few years ago.
The best showcase event was titled “Nation to Nation.” It featured
activist/artist Ellen Gabriel; teacher and anti-violence consultant
Sahra MacLean; and Ian Campeau, a founder of the musical group A Tribe
Called Red. The speakers presented an incisive and refreshing
anti-capitalist analysis. Similarly, British Labour Party leader Jeremy
Corbyn, who sent a video message of solidarity, got a rise out of the
crowd when he said “both our parties are socialist.” It was the only use
of the ‘s’ word to come from the front of the hall all weekend.
The Socialist Caucus celebrated the election of one of its candidates
for Executive (Dirka Prout for co-chair of the NDP Women’s Council) and
took pleasure in the fact that its other candidates received a healthy
vote, including Corey David who got 16% for President, Gary Porter 27%
for Treasurer, Chris Gosse 20% for V.P. Labour, and chalked up from 20%
to 33% for various positions on executive and federal council.
What other left current in the party presented the delegates with a
choice in the election for Executive and Federal Council? What other
tendency in the party fought for clear socialist policies, let alone a
transitional programme of working class demands?
Leap held a large, spirited meeting at the Museum of Nature, but chose
not to intervene in the NDP convention—which made it a little easier for
the party establishment to sideline any discussion of the Leap Manifesto
vision. Courage deserves credit for impressive cross-country organizing
to promote its proposals for greater party democracy and for free
post-secondary education. Likewise, much praise should go to the
movement of Palestinians, progressive Jews and others for driving the
campaign to ban Israeli settlement products from the Canadian market.
Finally, NDP Momentum held a series of modestly attended events titled
The World Transformed.
Unfortunately, none of those groups presented an alternative policy
platform or a team of candidates to challenge the right-wing party
establishment, much less target the toxic capitalist system.
Despite being approached by the SC, both before and during the
convention, none of the leaders of the above-mentioned groups showed any
willingness to collaborate on specific issues or actions. While a
political merger of forces is clearly not on the agenda, due to
important differences over programme and strategy, a left united front
for particular aims is possible—and it would be powerful, if not
irresistible. Unity in action should be our common goal.
The Socialist Caucus forum on Foreign Policy, Friday night, featured
Montreal-based author Yves Engler and drew a large crowd. It sparked a
great discussion that energized delegates for the next two days of
convention, including for battles over democracy and certain emergency
resolutions. Over 20 SC resolutions, with the support of dozens of EDAs
across the country, filled the resolutions book. Its display table was a
hub of activism, garnering revenues of close to a thousand dollars. Over
35 people joined the SC at Convention. Far from isolation, the group
felt empowered by the experience.
In the Leadership Review vote, Jagmeet Singh gained the approval of 90.7
per cent of the delegates—hardly a surprise, coming just four months
after he won the top job. But he paid a political price for his
ham-fisted, über-control tactics and for his bland, rambling 40-minute
oration. Singh pissed off hundreds of new, young members, and had
pundits scratching their heads. Toronto Star columnist Chantal Hebert
nailed it with an understatement: “The rookie leader’s speech fell well
short of being a major departure from the recent past.”
Singh’s theme was to reduce “social inequality.” How? By closing tax
loopholes, increasing corporate taxes, fashioning a pan-Canadian pharma
care, eye care and dental care program, achieving reconciliation with
Indigenous peoples, and pushing for a more proportional voting system,
he said. But would discredited former leader Tom Mulcair differ with
that, especially absent any bold proposals to make big business pay for it?
Singh completely avoided a mere mention of pipelines (ignoring the war
of wine and words between the NDP provincial governments in B.C. and
Alberta) and was silent on the scourge of climate change. (Is he for a
carbon tax, cap and trade, or public ownership of the energy giants to
fund a rapid transition to green energy?) His policy outline reads more
like a mystery novel, than a party platform.
To the sound of one hand clapping, NDP officials decreed the gathering a
“paperless convention.” But the dysfunctional electronic app made access
to timely information a constant frustration. The faux-ecology gesture
proved a dismal failure. Adjournment came as a relief to more than a few
techno-peasants in the auditorium.
In the end, image prevailed over policy, but did so rather uneasily. The
achievement of the balance of power for the left in the party is some
ways down the road, yet it is within our grasp—when socialists and
progressives decide to unite in the common cause of fighting boldly to
win the NDP and labour to a Workers’ Agenda. After all, no victory is
possible without a struggle.
Share this:
Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
17Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)17
Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
March 20, 2018 in Canada.
Related posts
Canada: A big opportunity for the Socialist Left
NDP Socialist Caucus urges critical support for MP Niki Ashton
Ontario Federation of Labour opts for political action
Post navigation
← Iraq veteran runs for U.S. Senate: Vote Socialist Action!
Leftist activists in Crimea report persecution by Russian authorities →
Get Involved!
Donate to help support our work
Get email updates
Join Socialist Action
Newspaper Archives
Newspaper Archives Select Month March 2018 (14) February 2018 (14)
January 2018 (13) December 2017 (13) November 2017 (13) October 2017
(16) September 2017 (15) August 2017 (16) July 2017 (17) June 2017
(16) May 2017 (17) April 2017 (14) March 2017 (13) February 2017
(19) January 2017 (13) December 2016 (12) November 2016 (19) October
2016 (12) September 2016 (10) August 2016 (10) July 2016 (14) June
2016 (14) May 2016 (9) April 2016 (12) March 2016 (14) February
2016 (8) January 2016 (11) December 2015 (11) November 2015 (9)
October 2015 (8) September 2015 (10) August 2015 (7) July 2015 (13)
June 2015 (9) May 2015 (10) April 2015 (12) March 2015 (9) February
2015 (11) January 2015 (10) December 2014 (12) November 2014 (11)
October 2014 (9) September 2014 (6) August 2014 (10) July 2014 (11)
June 2014 (10) May 2014 (11) April 2014 (10) March 2014 (9) February
2014 (11) January 2014 (11) December 2013 (10) November 2013 (11)
October 2013 (17) September 2013 (13) August 2013 (10) July 2013
(11) June 2013 (15) May 2013 (14) April 2013 (14) March 2013 (12)
February 2013 (10) January 2013 (17) December 2012 (7) November 2012
(8) October 2012 (19) September 2012 (2) August 2012 (27) July 2012
(18) June 2012 (3) May 2012 (19) April 2012 (14) March 2012 (17)
February 2012 (19) January 2012 (17) December 2011 (3) November 2011
(33) October 2011 (14) September 2011 (13) August 2011 (34) July
2011 (24) June 2011 (19) May 2011 (19) April 2011 (15) March 2011
(15) February 2011 (15) January 2011 (15) December 2010 (17) November
2010 (1) October 2010 (6) September 2010 (3) August 2010 (8) July
2010 (7) June 2010 (2) May 2010 (9) April 2010 (3) March 2010 (8)
February 2010 (3) January 2010 (9) December 2009 (6) November 2009
(5) October 2009 (16) September 2009 (3) August 2009 (2) July 2009
(5) June 2009 (2) May 2009 (7) April 2009 (6) March 2009 (16)
February 2009 (9) January 2009 (10) December 2008 (11) November 2008
(8) October 2008 (16) September 2008 (14) August 2008 (18) July 2008
(12) June 2008 (3) May 2008 (2) April 2008 (3) March 2008 (14)
February 2008 (11) January 2008 (11) December 2007 (8) November 2007
(1) July 2007 (1) June 2007 (1) April 2007 (1) March 2007 (1)
February 2007 (3) December 2006 (11) November 2006 (11) October 2006
(13) September 2006 (15) August 2006 (11) July 2006 (18) June 2006
(7) May 2006 (14) April 2006 (6) March 2006 (14) February 2006 (5)
January 2006 (2) December 2005 (9) November 2005 (8) October 2005
(13) September 2005 (12) August 2005 (9) July 2005 (16) June 2005
(16) May 2005 (16) April 2005 (12) March 2005 (14) February 2005
(19) January 2005 (15) December 2004 (14) November 2002 (17) October
2002 (19) September 2002 (22) August 2002 (21) July 2002 (15) May
2002 (21) April 2002 (21) February 2002 (15) January 2002 (15)
December 2001 (17) October 2001 (24) September 2001 (18) July 2001
(19) June 2001 (18) October 2000 (17) September 2000 (21) August
2000 (19) July 2000 (16) June 2000 (26) May 2000 (21) April 2000
(22) March 2000 (28) February 2000 (18) January 2000 (20) December
1999 (20) November 1999 (26) October 1999 (25) September 1999 (18)
August 1999 (40) July 1999 (38) June 1999 (24) May 1999 (27) April
1999 (25) March 1999 (26) February 1999 (29) January 1999 (24) July
1998 (12)
Search
View socialistactionusa’s profile on Facebook
View SocialistActUS’s profile on Twitter
View SocialistActionCT’s profile on YouTube
Subscribe to Our Newspaper
Upcoming Events
No upcoming events
Category Cloud
Actions & Protest Africa Anti-War Arts & Culture Black Liberation Canada
Caribbean Civil Liberties Cuba East Asia Economy Education & Schools
Elections En Español Environment Europe Immigration Indigenous Rights
International Labor Latin America Latino Civil Liberties Marxist Theory
& History Middle East Police & FBI Prisons South Asia Trump / U.S.
Government Uncategorized Women's Liberation
View Calendar
Blog at WordPress.com.
Follow