"Bullies"???

Who were the bullies? Really...Ms James desire to hold on to power at all costs drove a few sensible MLA's to continue to question her authority to 'rule'. Along with a few small items such as the 'stipend' paid to Mr Sihota...while overlooking the necessity to share this information with the membership...the firing of MLS's without consulting caucus...really, Ms James...who are the bullies?

Well, I guess bullying and threats work after all.

Well, it worked.

I guess to take control of a political party all you need is bullying, intimidation, and threats and you have yourself a political Coup d'Etat.

Funny that the woman holding the knife to Carole James' back doesn't have (and never did have), the guts to run for leadership herself. It's always easier to criticize.

Christy Clark may want to think twice about running for leader. People never will take a woman leader seriously, it seems. A man would never have been treated this way.

Doncha just love em??

Seems that the NDP has a pretty dysfunctional history. First they try to kick out their leader Bob Skelly just weeks before the 1986 election.

Then, during their 1991-2001 time in office, they have 4 different people at the helm, with 2 of them Harcourt and Clark resigning in scandal!

Why should people take them seriously this time?

All the next BC Liberal leader needs to do is point out how inept the NDP are. I mean, do really think people will trust the NDP with their tax money? If they can't stay united in opposition, how will they ever unite when in government?

I don't think it will take much effort for the Liberals under a new leader to defeat the NDP. Campbell was the main bogeyman and he's gone!

One thing

She's right to do this, because it will put the onus on the party at large, including the dissident MLA's, to get its shit together. No more blaming James - now its time to make things happen. The people of BC are ready for an intelligent, tough working person's party, because we - especially younger people - are getting screwed every which way. Our government, environment, and future are being gutted by a bunch of self-entitling baby boomer pricks while we work our asses off to earn a "middle class income" that won't EVER buy us so much as a hovel. Get your act together NDP. the votes are there.

For those criticising the 13

What were those who were unhappy with James' leadership supposed to do? Stay silent and watch another election go to the Liberals? Kwan et al were simply conveying what many British Columbians were feeling towards James.

Come on people, give your collective heads a shake. This is the best possible outcome for the party at this point.

ALCM it seems as though you are a James supporter. For the good of this province she is not the one to be leading the NDP into another election. She lost two elections to an unpopular party and Premiere, how much more suffering do you want us to go through?

The world has not come to an

The world has not come to an end. The party will regroup as soon as James' supporters stop calling the 13 MLA's 'Anarchists" or bullies. Big words and very insulting.Bring in a Interim leader and get going with a one member, one vote meeting. Jenny Kwan is getting a lot of heat just because she as the senior MLA wrote an open letter saying the obvious. James lost two elections and was aiming to lose another. If the party can't beat the corrupt Liberal gang, well , we will wait and see.

@kl

"What were those who were unhappy with James' leadership supposed to do? Stay silent and watch another election go to the Liberals?"

A scheduled leadership review was already in place for fall 2011!

All I ever wanted was some rules and order.

The ironic thing is that before this, I was actually quite lukewarm about Carole James! I found her to be quite meek and not tough enough against the Liberals.

But this entire affair felt very bullying, threatenting and misogynistic. I don't like the idea of people being forced to do things due to threats and bullying and blackmail.

There's got to be pre-set rules about how a leader is selected, how a leader is renewed and how a leader is deposed. That may sound boring, but otherwise it's just anarchy.

Not that simple DPL

Leaders don't win elections - people do.

If Jenny Kwan doesn't like the heat, she shouldn't have set the pot to boiling...Don't show up at my door selling memberships and expect me to shell out any more money for this gong fest.

Beating the liberals with their money and their corporate support - including the media - was never going to be a slam dunk...it's now an near impossibility.

I'd have thought people of a certain age might have known better.

By the way my friend - who brought the party to a one member on vote decision process anyway?

Please, remind me.

"A man would never have been treated this way." alcm

It was a woman who lead the free vote faction. Do you think Jenny wouldn't have kicked out a non-performing leader because he was male? Or would you like to try to divide the party on sexist lines?
Now we will see a whole lot more liberal shills over here because with Carole gone they have every reason to be worried.

Showing the true face

Clearly, Kwan doesn't want to be the leader; rather she took on the role as Brutus so the wheels of conspiracy could finally grind forward on the grist that needs to be ground. The true source of the movement to depose of James will be revealed once the new leader is annointed.

Did the unions give the silent nod? Although Sinclair publicly supported James (did he really have any other choice?) his union cronies were very unhappy with her and were probably militating in the background. Combine them with the far left activists who want to keep the NDP as their party and refuse to move towards the middle and you have the making of coup.

I get the impression that the union diehards want a loud and blustery white guy with UK heritage to energize the rank and file. Like a Jack Munro except in better suits. Now, the public is more focussed on the NDP's death rattles than their ability to govern. Actually, the senior ranks of the party comprise former Glen Clark cronies like Adrian Dix - very unimpressive to voters who will be reminded of their terrible economic credentials. So whatever happens, the NDP hasn't really renewed itself. The latest coup was simply a golden opportunity for the union thugs to make their move.

I'm not sure if Kwan and the rest of her gang both in front and behind the scenes realize the immense gamble they have set in motion. After deposing of James in a very public and bitter frontal assault they had better find a leader the entire party can unite behind. Otherwise, they will not only lose the upcoming election, but the NDP will fade away.

The Liberals still look much better

@Tommy Gunn: Hey, I don't take my cues from anyone.

All I want is fiscal responsibility and low taxes. I don't care who leads the Liberals or the NDP.

My main problem with the Liberals was (A) Gordon Campbell and he's gone now. He's history and people will soon forget him!

Why would I vote for a party wracked by infighting and completely incapable of spending tax money wisely? I've already taken a pay cut at work and I don't need social handouts, so all I care about is low taxes so I can have more take home pay.

The Liberals stayed loyal to their leader for 17 years, which shows that they don't turn on each other like the NDP does.

I've yet to convinced to vote NDP. And I'm sure the sceptre of 1991-2001 will be eagerly reminded of to the voters.

@Driftwood

Jenny was just the spokesperson. I doubt she controlled it. We have yet to know Bob William's and other behind-the-scenes men's roles in the whole manner.

I'm a man but I think there was more than a hint of "move over little girl, you're too weak" misogyny in this whole matter.

NDP

It was not New, not Democratic and not a Party.

Now is the time to become the Renewed Democratic Party. The opportunity is there.

Get a leader who will hold the Lieberals feet to the fire right up to their necks. We must get this Province back where it belongs - in the hands of the voters.

By the way I want all the Liberal's pension contracts torn up - just like they did to mine. Why should a bunch of thieves get those big pensions for screwing our province?

I will vote for a tough labor party leader who promises to punish the thieves, tear up their contracts and jail them for some of the stuff they have pulled off.

Come on now..find a leader with the mox to do this. (Balls are optional, mox is essential!)

No more politically correct wishy wash. We need tar and feathers for Gordo's gang.
Alberta Tar Sands tar is perfectly acceptable for this purpose.

Go NDP go...finally you are showing some anger, now direct it at the fat rats in power and get it right this time.

If you are fighting about anything it should be how many years the Liberal Thieves should be facing in prison, not how nice you can be. MOX! MOX! MOX!

A leader who will command media attention

The NDP focus must now be to find and elect a leader who can command media attention and focus that attention on the monumental economic devastation and criminal activity spawned from almost a decade of unfettered neo-liberalism. The fact the "Liberals" got away with running our province through press conferences rather than the legislature proves their utter disdain for parliamentary democracy and the fact the opposition let them get away with it is a damning indictment of James leadership. There are people willing and able to rid us of this neo-con scourge and salvage what is left of British Columbia but there isn't a minute to waste.

"...elect a leader who can command

media attention and focus that attention on the monumental economic devastation and criminal activity spawned from almost a decade of unfettered neo-liberalism." boondoggle

Hear! Hear!

@driftwood

David Schrek said today that he predicts a number of New Democratic party members will leave the party because of this ordeal, and I might be one of them. I'm this close to leaving the party for good.

The only thing that might keep me in the party is if the new leader comes from one of those who remained loyal (Mike Farnworth, Rob Fleming, Adrian Dix, etc).

If one of the Coup leaders becomes leader, I'm probably gone. I would have no problem voting Green.

I've thought for a while now that I wish there was a Vision Vancouver type of party at the provincial level that spans the progressive sensible political Centre in a new, modern way and moves away from the NDP of Old-School Leftism/Labour Union control/Activism/1970s Socialism/etc

No glory in mutiny

Jenny Kwan should be ashamed of herself. She took an internal fight and made it public.

Harry Lali doesn't want caucus discipline.

Thanks to you and the others in your group for trashing the Party and making it virtually impossible to win the next election.

We'll never know if Carole James could have won the 3rd time but it sure worked for other leaders.

So what bright ideas do you have now for rebuilding?

You're all long on complaints - short on ideas.

boondoggle

Are there really that many people watching the legislature channel in order to figure out who to vote for?

Somehow I'm having a hard time believing that.

Driftwood

Sure, CKNW and Canwest are gong to become the NDPs biggest cheerleaders because the NDP has an Obama figure hidden somewhere who will unite not only the fractured Left but everyone else too.

When will this person be pulled out and shown to the public?

I was unaware that so many

I was unaware that so many NDP party members were born yesterday and thus had no idea how party politics works.

It's never pretty when a stubborn old leader won't go but it shows how out of touch James was when she failed to resign after proving to be a two time loser.

It also speaks to the widespread dysfunction in the NDP that she wasn't turfed long ago.

Oh gee, the choices are just endless!

Let's examine the choices for possible next NDP leader:

(A) Someone who sat in cabinet or was a backroom operative during the 1990s which would just delight the Liberals. If so, you just know they will continually mention Glen Clark, Fast Ferries, Bingogate, etc. This will likely prevent a victory.

(B) Someone connected to the Rebel faction, which will keep the party bitterly divided. This will likely prevent a victory.

(C) Some obscure far left Bev Meslo type "activist", who would get no credibility from the Liberals or by the media. This will likely prevent a victory

(D) A complete or relative unknown middle of the road "compromise candidate", kind of like Carole James when she became leader. This person will remain unknown to the public and won't likely generate enough of a profile in time before an election. This will likely prevent a victory

Oh yeah, the options looking forward are plentiful. Turfing Carole James when the party was already ahead in the polls for a mystery newcomer is going to turn out to be a brilliant strategy!

Dinner

And drinks with six party members tonight. Two of us had already cancelled our PACs. All four others were reconsidering their involvement.

The big laugh was the fundraising letter we got in the mail last week. So not going to happen.

Second biggest laugh? Kwan's "thank you" to Carole. It's not nice to send a note when you've still holding onto the knife in the back.

Who knew there were so many

Who knew there were so many babes in the NDP woods?

bonfire

NDP Party Membership Card Bonfire in 5..4...3...2...

Frank

A legislative session provides the opportunity for the opposition to do their job and provide alternative points of view. Albeit with the corporate media, those alternatives seldom see the light of day. However the fact we no longer have independent media is no reason to abandon the legislative process.

Shelley in BC

You can't have both........

Choices limited

Leadership choices, that is. I'm guessing that those potentially interested in leading the NP will quickly realize that their role will be as a caretaker leader - for the next election & maybe the one after that as well. As soon as government again becomes a possibility, that leader will be properly 'deposed' and a serious contender will take over.
I cannot imagine any current caucus member with sense throwing his/her hat in the ring at this time.

Quote:I cannot imagine any

Then your knowledge of how politics works is quite limited.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This just in.......

The latest is that Gregor Robertson's phone is ringing off the hook with NDP hacks pleading their case.

Democracy on the Rise

Democracy is bubbling around the world. From Gordon Campbell's humiliating resignation, to Wikeleaks, to the cancellation of the Taseko Mine, to the refusal to sell Potash Corp, never have so many citizens had their voice heard.

And so it is in the NDP party itself. Once Campbell departed the brutal corporate Liberal regime, it was clear the NDP would face a choice: was it to be Business As Usual (BAU) and support the corporate rulers of BC, or can the NDP return to its roots as the true people's party.

The NDP has slowly drifted to the right, like Bush Lite, appeasing corporate Canada in exchange for being allowed to form a government...maybe. It all depends on how compliant they would be.

This is not the party of the people. This is the US Democratic party, same as the Republicans but with more lipstick.

In BC, thousands of savvy activists and scholars know this movie and will not stand for it. Thank goodness. What good would an NDP government be that allows GE and Exxon and Bay Street to continue to steal BC's resources, in exchange for what? An increase in the minimum wage to $10 per hour? It would be sickening and soul destroying to watch an Obama-like NDP fail to stop the destruction of our environment, to see them permit the continuation of neoliberal policies, to allow an increase in poverty, and to reluctantly support a decrease in taxes. That was Ms. James trajectory. That was why there was a massive populist uprising.

It wasn't "bickering" or "in-fighting" as if it were a group of children fighting over candy. It was about very real policy views, democracy views, and standards of character and value. Ms. James grip on power was surprising, disheartening and disappointing.

I pray the NDP can now embrace the vital, bubbling democracy that is rippling around BC and world.

Great coverage as always.

Fools Rule

Nimno wrote: "I cannot imagine any current caucus member with sense throwing his/her hat in the ring at this time."

I guess we'll just have to find some naive fool who will run on an honest platform full of (gasp) workable ideas- and win.

LOL

@Jeffrey J:
"thousands of savvy activists"
"a massive populist uprising."

Am I seriously reading this?? 13 MLAs suddenly becomes the Bolshevik Revolution Redux??

Then how come every single friend or constituency colleague in the party I have spoken to today is disgusted and seriously considering tearing up their party membership??

Where are you getting these stats?

You seem to think the NDP is the Black Bloc. Wheras I thought it was supposed to be a democratic, reasonable, rational, political party where we discuss and talk and vote on things.

"All I want is fiscal responsibility and low taxes."

Shelly, if what you want is the party of "me" rather than the party of "us," it seems you only have one option: the Liberals.

Now, if you'd said, "all I want is social responsibility and fair taxes," then you'd have a choice to make.

This just in-The Sky is

This just in-The Sky is Falling, The Sky is Falling!!

Alas Poor NDP-we knew them well.......

Math is hard

"The NDP has slowly drifted to the right, like Bush Lite, appeasing corporate Canada in exchange for being allowed to form a government...maybe....

In BC, thousands of savvy activists and scholars know this movie and will not stand for it. Thank goodness."

Also in BC, hundreds of thousands of ordinary disinterested voters, disgusted by what they see as 'antics' of all major parties, turn back to the MSM for their news and opinion, and, while listening to Bill Good, decide that they're going to park their vote with the party that tells them they'll be wealthier if they vote for them. They know they're being lied to, but they feel secure that they made the only decision possible out of a Hobson's choice. Then they go back to their beer and TV.

And the NDP will be back at 6 seats and 29%, scratching for funds and wondering where it all went so wrong?

Salmon watching TV

anybody who thinks Mayor Gregor would be a shoe-in to lead the province has another think coming.

Through masterful misdirection by the MSM, Vision Vancouver never actually had to post their campaign promises until almost two weeks before the election. By that time, the election was already in the bag because the MSM had anointed GR and highlighted the bitter split in the NPA, despite what has to be seen as a much superior candidate in Ladner for the Right to coalesce around.

And when they finally did post their promises, they were a conflicting and contradictory mess of 'Mom and apple pie' platitudes, absolutely none of which have been fulfilled except for everyone to enjoy a great time at the Big Owelimp-ics.

No, I don't mind Gregor, but as a mayor, he's a one-term reject, and he'll take a couple of the Visionaires with him if he isn't careful. There'll be no honeymoon with the MSM the second time .

Than You Card?

The BC NP is organizing a 'Thank You, Carol' on-line card. Wow!! Tacky or what?

I wonder how long ago that was arranged ;)

Easy, alcm

There's no place to go. So don't set off in a hurry, especially when the only thing to lose is an election, not time.

There's still a need for thinking progressives in this party. Just like we need some doctrinaire bum-bashing garbage-can-throwers to get our point across once in a while. But there needs to be somebody left to make sure the doctrinaire garbage-can-throwers aren't the ones making policy. That's not their forte.

Outing the dispute

"Jenny Kwan should be ashamed of herself. She took an internal fight and made it public."

Seems to me that somebody pushing yellow scarves did that.

Please google and read Corky's letter.

Outstanding Jeffrey J. Great reporting by The Tyee.

Quote:

"This is not the party of the people. This is the US Democratic party, same as the Republicans but with more lipstick.

In BC, thousands of savvy activists and scholars know this movie and will not stand for it. Thank goodness. What good would an NDP government be that allows GE and Exxon and Bay Street to continue to steal BC's resources, in exchange for what? An increase in the minimum wage to $10 per hour? It would be sickening and soul destroying to watch an Obama-like NDP fail to stop the destruction of our environment, to see them permit the continuation of neoliberal policies, to allow an increase in poverty, and to reluctantly support a decrease in taxes. That was Ms. James trajectory. That was why there was a massive populist uprising.

It wasn't "bickering" or "in-fighting" as if it were a group of children fighting over candy. It was about very real policy views, democracy views, and standards of character and value. Ms. James grip on power was surprising, disheartening and disappointing."

Thank you, Jeffrey J.

It could not be said better.

It's interesting to me that some people here feel so threatened by what is clearly the awakening of a new and truly democratic movement....one as Jeffrey J. notes is finally beginning to "ripple around BC and the world".

These are early days yet but hopefully promising ones.

Many thanks to Jenny and to the 12 MLA's who had the courage to take a stand....who listened to what their constituents were expressing and represented us instead of the interests of the party insiders whose hands have been on the controls for far too long now.

Pony up!

I got a call from a party fundraiser tonight and made my first decent contribution to the provincial party in a while. I'd challenge ... no implore upon all of those who are long on rhetoric to ensure the party is not short on cash.

Its time to pony up and let those who want to call people names and label them as anarchists, its time to prove them wrong.

Contribute!

Quit yapping and open your wallet, put your money where your mouth is.

Giving is easy. Talk is cheap!

The Emperor's New Clothes

I have been a life-long NDPer but i will vote strategically if my party has no chance of winning. Carole James is a dud leader like Alexa McWhat's her face was for the federal NDP. It is absurd all these idiots claiming that Carole James built up the party from two seats! How ridiculous. The NDP has always had a strong base in BC and people were just sick of the clowns in power at that time.

Carole James is just boring and unappealing to most people, including me a lifelong NDPer. I think the NDP needs to clean house and quickly since the Liberals might call an election soon after they elect a new leader.

Some critics have pointed out how Carole James had her wings clipped once Gordo left and that makes sense to me, she has no power of her own, no charisma.

I don't see how the NDP could win an election considering how fractured they are, clearly like I said they need to clean house and organize around some charismatic, dynamic leader who can unite the divisions in the party made public by Jenny Kwan.

Carole James seemed just as arrogant and autocratic as Gordo, and the dissidents were entirely right to take a stand against the old party hacks. The NDP is fractured and needs to focus on who and what they are.

Gordo has destroyed anything democratic in this province and left it a corporate waste land. Who now is able to put an organized front against the corporate autocrats? I think the only possibility is to see the NDP centre left splitting in two just like the COPE party did in Vancouver.

The general population will never be interested in a party with duds like Carole James and Moe Sahota running the show.

Don't let the door hit you on your way out...

"She ... and held the BC Liberals to account each and every day."

Well, no actually, she did nothing of the sort. She sat around meekly, doing and saying nothing, apparently expecting that this "strategy" would endear her to the business class while the party's historical roots would apparently guarantee electoral success "somewhere down the road".
Lazy, milquetoast leadership is not a viable option to the BC Liberals when that party can consistently call on their friends in the media to gloss over the damage they continue to wreak in this province.

See - the real problem with Carole James is that the woman simply didn't understand that the working poor, the elderly, the students and a host of other groups who weren't the wealthy donors to Liberal coffers are the ones who've been bullied and kicked around by the BC Liberals - not her.

A recent example : I heard no outrage or call to action from the NDP leader on the unconscionable shuttering of the globally recognized Therapeutics Initiative by the BC Liberals. This is only the most recent example of your political adversaries destroying responsible and effective public institutions - while NDP leadership made not a peep. It is the NDP oppositions *JOB* to make the public aware of what the government is doing - and you failed - again and again and again.

Finally; how shameful it is that this woman sees herself as a victim of her parties politics and can express so much bile when it concerns her, but did, said and offered not an ounce of that anger or emotion on behalf of the people of this province when we were getting our asses kicked by Liberal policies.

Shame on you Ms James.
You stood for nothing and you *NEVER* spoke for me. NEVER.
Good riddance.

Sam Salmon

Only in your "dreams". Considering that the Liberals are likely about to break yet another election promise by playing with the "fixed election date", an interim leader will be faced with a party low on funds, still in disarray, and not a good career move.

The NDP need an interim leader with guts enough to play with a stacked deck, and that is definitley NOT GR.

Do you take any responsibility.....

Was the question asked directly to Ms James by Sean Holman after her announcement.

Do you take any responsibility at for what has happened...

Carole responds No none at all.....

None at all.....

Here is to better days.

Move on!!

Carole James has resigned. That means it's time to choose a new leader and try to win the next election. That means it's also time for ALL who wish to see an end to Liberal rule to make a BIG, GROWN-UP EFFORT to quell the urge to rake those coals and ignite the grudges that got the NDP to this point in the first place. I personally thought Ms. James was nice and all, but unelectable, too meek, too lacking in charisma, and so I am glad she has seen fit to leave. She might have gone out with considerably less rancour however. I wonder if that departure speech qualifies as one of those things you end up wishing you'd slept on and rewritten.

Quote:The NDP need an

Political parties always need leaders with guts-something the BC NDP haven't had for decades.

For a long time, I was a

For a long time, I was a Carole James supporter. While being mildly disappointed in her speeches and actions, or lack thereof,I was still willing to support her. My opinion of her started to sour with the diastrous 2009 election when the NDP forfeited a sure victory through sheer incompetence. I have seen and heard nothing since then to improve my opinion of her.

The public firing of Bob Simpson for criticizing her lackluster speech signalled the end of my lukewarm support, and everything she has said or done since then has solidified my opinion against her. Her "line in the sand" comments, and her very public outing of the dissidents sealed Carol's fate as far as I was concerned, and I do not think that I was the only one. She was destroying MY party, and I didn't like it.

In a democracy, differences of opinion (dissention) are absolutely necessary, otherwise why would we have "his or her Majesty's Loyal opposition"? In fact, why would we have political parties with opposing philosophies and agendas? Parties only get into trouble when these opposing opinions are stifled. that is exactly what happened in the Liberal camp, and it is exactly what Carole tried to do within the NDP. I am glad that it didn't work.

Carole's confrontational "my way or else" attitude is what has brought her down, not power grabbing by the dissidents, and personally, I think that it was necessary.

I have it from a very good

I have it from a very good source that the real number was not 13, but may have been 18 or 20. When this came out, there was no choice. Which also shows that there were big problems we, the public, never heard of until now.

With the lives and futures of millions at stake, isn't it about time to stop the stupid yakking, crying and finger pointing, but get down to hard work to get rid of the most corrupt government and come up with policies to save BC from total sellout and enslavement, while the same gang, federally,

is planning to spend $16, billion on planes for "defence"?

Why should anybody attack us, when, with the help of pimp governments, they can buy the whole country with imaginary money "created" from the air by some banks.

In a democracy, leaders are supposed to be followers, not dictators.

Ed Deak.

Glen Murtz - re the therapeutics initiative

Where have you been hiding?

All you had to do to find out what the party and the health critic were saying about the Liberal destruction of the therapeutics initiative was to read the Tyee - here:

http://thetyee.ca/News/2010/11/24/NewDrugReview/

Look near the end of the comments thread for a comprehensive list of what's been going on.

When things don't appear in the press you 'read' it doesn't mean that the party, Ms James AND the critic weren't busy on the file.

It does mean that the media in this province are cowed and ineffective.

Time to wake up my friend.

Ed, I don't know all the details

But, my understanding is that Bob Simpson's speech was the last straw in a long line of snide comments, public and not so public criticism and ill-informed analysis that was NOT based on facts or reality and that Carole James sucked it up for years in an attempt to be cooperative and conciliatory.

I don't believe it was a one-off incident which led to Simpson's firing.

I haven't said a lot about this and I'm not going to mention it again because the 'he said' / 'she said' stuff won't get us anywhere. I don't know Simpson and I can only allude to what I've heard second hand from people I generally trust - however, I think those people (folks like Ian Reid) have some credibility too.

You do know Simpson and you're convinced he's wearing a white hat...so be it.

yellow scarves

Ms James' resignation is welcomed. Now the person(s) responsible for the yellow scarves fiasco should go too - a disgraceful display which reminded me of nothing more than the antics of highschool girls back in the 60s. As for James' resignation speech - in the words of Sarah Palin - "it's time to man up". I'm so sick and tired of people playing the victim card. What a pity the only time James showed any strength was in attacking members of the NDP caucus rather than the Liberals and the Howe Street boys.

Making Sense of it All

I have finally come to the conclusion that
1. caucus discontent with their poll standings has been going on for quite a while.
2. A significant minority of them came to the conclusion that it was CJ responsible for this - or at least they'd be better off with a different leader.
3. They decided to do the Mike Harcourt shuffle: a friendly meeting with CJ, a little push & voila!
4. CJ's supporters - also leg coffee shop habitues cottoned on to these rumblings.
5. To ward off any future kerfuffle, CJ & Co needed to corral up the chickens ASAP.
6. Bob Simpson's milquetoast ruminations were seized upon as an example to be made of.
7. John Quincy R&F member was a tad amazed that the leader would react so precipitously.
8. The 'Baker's Dozen', by this time somewhat organized and realizing that CJ didn't seem too keen to fall on her sword, decided to go the democratic route & had some of their constituency supporters start a campaign to oust CJ via the Prov Council meeting.
9. CJ's supporters seemed to see this happening, and used 'yellow ribbon' tactics to demonstrate their support. It had the effect of 'outing' all the players: dissidents, supporters & fence-sitters.
10. Rats!! An 84-16 split didn't bode well, BUT
11. In for a dime, in for a dollar: iconic Jenny Kwan's persuasive letter - which led to a MEETING to resolve the differences....
12. The Bakers' dozen saw no reason to meet with anyone, unless CJ first committed to stepping down. And so the 'meeting' was 'postponed'
'Unlucky' 13. JC finally blinks! Her best lines were her unscripted comments at the end which revealed her feelings clearly.

time to pull together

A good party pulls it together!! Either the NDP get it together or a new party forms that can take on the Liberals. I am very disappointed in the NDP over the last several years, we need more choice or young people like me will be left with no one to vote for again.

Shreck NDP strategist

That comment in above article leads me to believe he is not much of a strategist. Where was any substantial mention of the folly of the major Liberal energy policies during the last election?

GW...Nobody is wearing a

GW...Nobody is wearing a white hat in any goddamn politics. This is something we found out in our early years and are looking at politics like we do at used toilet paper.

Disgusting, but what the hell else can you do, but to look for more of the same, hoping to find a clean sheet.

Bob Simpson is a highly intelligent, quiet talking, positive thinker. I've never heard him saying anything bad, and I mean name calling, against CJ, even when we had a meeting with him, 2 days after he was fired.

We were thinking about quitting the NDP, as several of the North's exec. have done, and as I believe Bob himself, by now, but he advised us not to leave, so we renewed the next day.

If he and all the others came with their complaints out into the open, there must have been dissatisfaction growing for a long time. The question is, why hasn't the leadership done anything about it, but let it fester ?

I think, instead of jumping around like farts in pants, finger pointing and screaming, this should be quite obvious to anybody with a bit of logic.

Bob was fired because of one sentence that appeared in our small, local papers, saying that CJ's speech was flat and didn't say much. That's all.

This should have been made a joke of and nothing else. His unilateral firing was against the rules by all accounts, resulting in the resignation of 2 caucus officials.

This alone should be an eye opener, because if there was any "bullying" by anyone, this shows where it started, followed by more that could only bring on the inevitable.

I've tried to warn CJ, in person, and also in writing, back in July, that there's something going on. She said she knew all about it, but has done nothing.

But this is all past history, so why chewing on it endlessly. We thank her for the work she has done and wish her all the health and happiness, but let's move on and see what should and can be done to get rid of this crooked bunch who call themselves our government, selling the ground from under our feet to "wealth creating foreign investors".

Communists are welcome with open arms, as long as they bring their stash of worthless US Dollars.

George Abbott is right, this is the worst thing that could have happened to the BCLibs, because now they don't know what and who will come up to kick their asses ?

Who that might be, I don't know, and have no preferences, but if the NDP can come up with somebody who can identify the crime wave and has the courage, and talent, to warn people, the landscape of BC could change in a hurry
and show leadership to the rest of the country and around the world.

History is full of examples........

Ed Deak.

The King is dead. Long live the king!

So Carole James finally got the message. Only 13% of the electorate liked her as leader and the NDP finally made her see sense.

Carole James is a good person and she has done the NDP tremendous service, but she would never have won an election.

BC needs new blood at he top and we now have a new set of choices to make. I hope both parties pick leaders with an impeccable track record for moral fibre and honesty.

Carol James just did not cut it as leader. She was too didactic and was always lecturing. She had absolutely no flair at all. She is an excellent second-in-command but a failure as a leader.

My ideal party would be middle-of-the road. It would not lean excessively to labour or business, but would cut straight through the old rhetoric and get on with the job of building a green future for BC.

It would revitalise our second-biggest industry - tourism - and pump staff and resources into the provincial park system. It would stop the war on campers and start offering comprehensive interpretive guides for the millions of people who come here to see the wildlife.

Schools would be closed to rationalise the education industry. There would be a detailed retirement program for those teachers who are burned out and frustrated. The fabulous Work Experience Program would be reinstated. The Outdoor classroom would made real and enduring.

BC has some of the best outdoors in the world. We have the best sea kayaking coastline imaginable, the best mountain landscape and the finest fish-bearing streams and lakes. We need to think about ways to turn a few minor, localised businesses into a major, global industry.

This shouldn't be the only thing on the new NDP agenda, but it should be a major program. If the NDP can do this, and avoid the pitfalls they usually get into, they will get my vote.

what???

"This is the US Democratic party, same as the Republicans but with more lipstick." Sorry, I see that as thinly disguised sexism. By the way, in the event you haven't heard - the Taseko mine may be on hold, but it certainly isn't dead.
But let's all get back to discussing political policy, shall we? Ed Deak is correct: the best leaders are followers and there is no saviour waiting to lead us to the promised land, with or without lipstick,

Time to move on

While Ms James announcement of her resignation may not have been the most gracious thing I've heard and, I'll admit, I was angry for a short time. It was, however, one of the most compelling things I've heard from her in some time.

That, too, has been the problem. Ms James simply seemed to want to oppose more than offer alternatives. A prick here, a cut there in the chinks of Liberal armour but never much of a telling blow.

A 2009 campaign that seemed to me to come from the back of an envelope more than anywhere else.

Having campaigned with David Schreck and been involved in campaigns he ran I'm still wondering where he might have fit in on the last one because of it's almost total lack of focus or any memorable moments. Not at all Shreck like.

Feelings are bruised and tempers a bit hot right now on both sides as evidenced by comments here and elsewhere.

Then again, I remember feeling the same way when Mike Harcourt was thrown under the bus, too. Politics, particularly as practised in BC is a blood sport and if you want to take part you'd better be prepared for that.

I don't think Ms James was prepared for that.

Then again, I don't see the split in the ranks being anywhere near as wide as it was in the battles between Tom Berger and Dave Barret supporters in the late 1960s. The party recovered from that.

And no, while there are issues, serious ones, with how Moe Sahota is paid, you can't lay that one at the foot of the BC Federation of Labour. The Fed itself is badly split, quietly as usual, over a number of issues. It's more likely that Moe's paid by one or two large public sector unions. Though the labour movement itself had nothing to do with tossing Ms James under a bus due to internal splits and divisions as I said.

It's a sad day when a party leader, any party leader is forced out. Though, after reflection, Ms James managed it with what grace she could honestly muster and I congratulate her for that and appreciate it.

Some will leave the party, though I'd urge them not to. The Greens are great on the enviornment even though a look at their economic policies, reflecting that of the German party, are far to the right of New Democrats.

How I feel about Ms James' leadership is irrelevant now.

In the end she did the right thing, the thing she had to do.

Thank you for your service to the NDP and the Province of British Columbia, Carole.

Now is the time for healing. That's one thing the BC NDP very well. It's a fractious and opinionated place not the regimented organization like the BC Liberals. Or the BC Greens, for that matter.

Let's move on after our feelings are expressed and have started to heal but most, importantly, move on.

The NDP will now get my vote

The NDP will now get my vote again next time. What a glorious day!

Just posted to The

Just posted to The Legislature Raids ...

BC Mary comment: This is my absolute favourite Letter-to-the-Editor on the occasion of the Carole James resignation, quoted from The Progressive Mind ... HERE.

http://www.theprogressivemind.info/?p=52410

CBC News - British Columbia - James resigns as B.C. NDP leader

To: Editor
The Progressive Mind

ronwilton wrote:
Posted 2010/12/06

I don’t care what ‘party’ you represent, you get my vote if you swear on your mother’s grave (or grandmother’s) that you will

-call a BC Rail inquiry

-rescind the ROR contracts

-refuse oil super tankers on our coasts and in our ports

-stop the coal truck super highway through Burns Bog and over ALR

-take back our crown land from Western Forest Products and companies

-reposition and remove Foreign Fish Farms away from wild migration routes

-cancel FFF permits when they expire and don’t issue new ones

-return HST taxation to corporations

-make banks pay their fair share of taxes

-not renew RCMP contract for twenty years

-restore BC Utilities Commission to it’s proper purpose

-return BC Hydro to solvency

-remove the ’shadow’ tolls on the S2S and the Bennett bridge

-change the name of the Bennett bridge to WAC Bennett bridge

-turn back BC Ferries to a Crown corporation

-remove Anne McKenzie from the bench

-have the law society censure Bill Berardino

-make the proper authorities prosecute Gordon Campbell and his henchmen for their influence peddling and bribe taking.

That will do for a start.

""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

Time for renewal

To all those who wished for more democracy in the NDP, I suggest you sign up as members and take part in rebuilding. It isn’t enough to vote nor even donate money, which is often misspent by those in control of the finances.

The NDP has won elections only when an army of volunteer activists have joined in the effort as in ’91 and ’96.

Supporters of the “heretics” in the party owe it to them and to themselves to get as involved as possible. We may lose some of the party elite and other James supporters, who have threatened/promised to leave the party now James has resigned. Their contributions will need to be replaced with new blood and new energy.
If 10% of those who have been watching and talking about how change is needed went to BCNDP.ca and became members, it would show doubters there is much support available – especially outside the old “box” the leadership has been living in - for a renewed and "updated" NDP! It would also increase membership by multiples, rather than increments.

“On the street” comments on TV and radio and the majority of "independent" blog posters are contradicting what pundits are saying, and demonstrating what the 13 and most of BC already knew.
There is far more support for party renewal, both in participation and voter support, than the old inner circle understands.
Lately the ideas (and invective) coming from status quo supporters in the NDP have been indistinguishable from those of Baldrey, Palmer, Gary Mason etc - often word for word! No wonder MLAs and others challenging autocratic leaders, be they named Campbell or James, (or dare we hope, Harper?) are looking much better to the average voter than the leaders themselves.

All the NDP inner circle have ever needed to do is take leadership from their own party and value the members for their ideas and contributions to policy as much as for their money and election labour. The value of the party as a body of intelligent, active community based volunteers is worth far more than money, and includes much that cannot be bought!