James and Campbell In the Same Boat

Both Campbell and James have now long passed their political 'best before due dates'.

If I was James, I would have handled the matter differently and not aired NDP laundry out in the public realm. That would have been the politically astute way to deal with Simpson's minor indiscretion. The public has now had a whiff of the NDP laundry and doesn't like the smell.

Since this whole matter has now gone viral, it's apparent that the political narrative and discourse will now change its focus from Campbell and the HST toward Carole James' leadership and whether she is a premier in waiting. That's the change in today's political dynamic.

First it was Bob Simpson speaking out against James. Then it was former NDP cabinet minister Helmut Giesbrecht speaking out against James.

Today NDP MLA Harry Lali refused to respond when asked if he supported James' leadership. Now NDP MLA Michael Sather has also refused to respond when asked about James' leadership performance. Speaks volumes.

NDP MLA Mike Sather further stated to the Georgia Staight:

Have the floodgates now been opened?

If NDP MLA's and supporters don't have much confidence in James' leadership abilities, how does the NDP expect the public to have confidence in same?

I have a hunch some movement will now occur in the next batch of opinion polls.

Sorry David...

..but you are completely off base on this one. The 23 point lead is very soft and there are a lot of things that can happen to change that. Simpson's "policies" are irrelevant and relying of Bill Goods questions is faulty. Simpson is not the leader, he is an MLA and he needs to respond to the issues that brought this on. He does not have to answer hypothetical questions. James is a lackluster performer after tow elections and that is the issue.

Silly Move by James

In the first instance, MLA Bob Simpson was simply echoing the concerns of his Constituency Committee, and indeed a large number of other NDP sympathisers. Carole James has not, in my view, provided any substantial policy that would attract voters. Quite frankly we do not even know what the NDP policies might be as there is zero reference on the NDP web site. If there is no plan, then there is no interest or debate. Even Carole James recent reponses to the Liberals transgressions are somewhat muted, providing no clue on what the NDP would do.

The failure of Carole James and her crew to annunciate in precise terms what they would do for Health, Education, the economy, and other issues clearly, just confirms their inability to communicate to the public. Much like the last election.

Carol James and her team need to be replaced with a new team that would inject a new genesis into the Party.

Simpsons dismissal just underlines Carole James failures.

she's gotta go

Regardless of the polls, the NDP will not win the next election with James as leader. Period. Campbell will be gone to his many directorships and another "celebrity" will be running the show for the monied. Cheers!

James is an under performer

I have to take exception to your comment "There's an old rule that you don't have to be a 10 to win ... doesn't appear to be good enough for some of her critics."

Despite Liberal fortunes in the current polls, relying on the public to vote them out of office is poor strategy, but seems to be the current NDP thinking. Better to win because the public wants *you*.

James has been an underperformer - the NDP needs dynamic, charismatic, honest and aggressive leadership to escape its current "funk". The election is not tomorrow and politics is also about good strategy and timing - replacing James would exercise both.

One more note

"James and her caucus are up to the challenge". I wonder, they weren't up to providing aggressive opposition or communicating the NDP vision for the province. They even let a former disgraced Premier upstage them and still have not said wht they will do with the HST.

23 point lead is not a vote for James

The 23 point lead over Campbell's Lying Liberals is not an indication of the popularity or efficiency of Carol Jame. Rather it is a indictment of Campbell et al. James has NOT proved she can win even over the likes of Campbell.

There undoubtedly will be a new Liberal leader for the next election. We definitely need a new NDP leader to have even half a chance to win.

Bob Simpson was justified in his remarks. James... shame on her for firing him from caucus - that will not bode well for her.

@cool hand

Wow, Michael Sather and Harry Lali won't comment. Isn't that the criticism against James? She won't land on a position? They should man up.

And Helmut Giesbrecht? I'm sure David Schreck has some memories of Helmut's finer moments in the caucus they shared (you'll remember David was an MLA as well). I'll take David's weight over Helmut any day.

I did hear the NDP members of the Finance Cmte all declare their support for the leader on the way into the hearings today - that's Bruce Ralston, Michelle Mungall, Doug Donaldson and Bill Routley (I looked it up). Heard a lot of others doing radio interviews... Maureen Karagianis for example. I'll take them any day over two light weight perpetual backbenchers who can't say where they stand.

Another Gordo

Carol James has come across as another thin skinned dictator just like Gordo. Her speeches are mostly boring and lacking detail or vision, usually telling us what she is against. Never under estimate the ability of the NDP to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. James should have resigned after the last election defeat. The next election will probably see her as a three time looser.

Is it bad to ask what her policy is?

While I agree that MLA's should reflect party policies where it counts, it seem reasonable to me that an individual should be able to voice his objections.

The simple fact is that James, as most leaders, impose their own perspective, regardless of what the mood was at the convention where they happened to get elected.

It would make more sense to caution leaders when they step beyond their mandate and impose their own pet ideas.

One reason that James is not popular is because she has shown her hang-up about sexual equality, a policy that now hampers the selection of suitable candidates.

Perhaps she has a reason for soft-pedalling her image, but maybe she could give us a hint as to when exactly she will come out figthing? --- It obviously was not at the last election!

Right P Markunas...

...critics are light weight perpetual back benchers and the supporters are not light weight suck ups. They should man up as well. By the way doesn't "back bench" refer to government members not on the executive council?

One of the best NDP MLA's

I believe Bob Simpson is one of the best NDP MLA's. He is very articulate and extremely knowledgeable about the issues, esp. forestry. This is a very unfortunate occurrence for the NDP. Of course, we never hear anything about Campbell forcing his MLA's to tow the line. Perhaps next week, we'll hear from an MSM columnist telling us of his bullying tactics with his MLA's.
He would actually make a great leader of the NDP and premier.

It's the Caucus

The problem seems to be a lack of consultation by James with the caucus. Carole James gave a speech at the BC Municipalities that the NDP MLAs didn't know about or didn't have input to. Carole James doesn't seen to consult with or appreciate her caucus so has fueled an insurrection.

The lead by the NDP is a vote against Campbell and the Liberals and could be short lived. With an insurrection in the NDP, the NDP will be in the media but might not gain support.

Let Democracy Decide

A very simple solution is, let the members decide. Dave Barrett in 1975 chose this very high, uncertain road, and was willing to accept the results. Live by the sword, die by the sword.

If we REALLY wish to return BC to a democracy, a very good place to start is with the NDP, historically the most powerful voice against the ruing elites.

So, the NDP that I have always believed in will support a free vote which should be held at the next convention to determine who the majority support: Carole James or an alternative. The majority should rule, in this and in almost every other aspect of public life.

Of course, the Gordon (Pinocchio) Campbell Liberals are FAR worse. That is very important to keep in mind in these debates. FAR worse. Because HE is in power, and has been for 10 years. Carole James has NEVER been in power. So her faults, whatever they may be, can never be the same as the abuse of power wielded by Campbell.

Having said that, the structure of the NDP is extremely important for those of us interested in regime change in the ruling BC government. Which can't happen soon enough. Nevertheless, all of us members of the NDP are entitled to an opinion and have an obligation to have a view of how things should proceed.

In this case, the NDP's leader, whomever it is, should stand on democratic principles and let the majority decide. The ripple effects of running a party on principle, rather than expediency and power, is the defining difference between the NDP and Gordon Campbell et al. I pray this distinction remains.

It will be a sad day in BC if it doesn't.

When will James move over......

and let the NDP stand a chance of saving BC from being sold the the lowest bidder by the "Liberal" petrocrats?

Two main issues make the NDP unelectable - uncertainty by the electorate because of the party's economic ineptitude the last time they were in power, and Carole James as a hollow, uninspiring leader with nothing much to say.

It is time for her to accept that she has given the role her best shot and find someone dynamic who can replace her as leader to take advantage of the HST debacle NOW, while the issue is red hot.

On the other issue that I mentioned, the NDP still have to do some convincing that they can run the Province without breaking the bank again. Now is the time to be doing that, with a strong vision for BC, including support for businesses of all sizes and a new voice at the top.

gdean11

The NDP record on the economy in the 1990s is better than Campbell's record this decade or Bill Bennett and Bill Vander Zalm's record the decade before them.

Unless you listen to CKNW or read CanWest, then you'll hear things that never show up online at BC Stats. The NDP can't control what newspapers and talk show hosts say, people have to be intelligent enough not to swallow whatever Liberal supporters say.

Unfortunately people continue to demonstrate that betting against their intelligence is where the smart money should go.

What a pile of horse shit!

The perpetual complainers (about Carole James's leadership) here at Tyee, can't have it both ways.

You've been calling her weak, suggesting she's indecisive, incapable of articulating a policy and/or a position and entirely NOT up to the task of behaving like a political leader.

Now she's demonstrated that she can be tough, make a decision and put it out there at the same time that she demonstrates she has the jam to 'be a leader' and you're still bitching.

C'mon guys, you can't have it both ways. I think she made a mistake when she sacked Bob Simpson, and I hope to hell she reconsiders. But c'mon, give the woman a break. You have to admit it's pretty facile to call her indecisive and a poor leader and dump on her the first time (according to your lights) that she ‘mans up’ and behaves the way you've said she should have been doing all along.

Like every woman in politics in this country, the toughest problem she has to face is the ‘gender’ gap…

What is it you expect from an NDP Leadership change?

Within our political paradigm you get Pepsi or you get Coke. Go ahead and vote for a new leader of the NDP; knock yourself out. But come election day, there is still only Pepsi or Coke in the machine. Are you hoping a change will offer up Pepsi Lite perhaps?

Sure, I can appreciate the slower provincial deterioration of the province under an NDP government. But it is just buying time without a grassroots change in what we demand from our political system.

As Emma Goldman, the insightful anarchist said about a century ago, "If voting changed anything* they'd make it illegal".

*link to 16:50 min. piece from Freedomain Radio

Like every woman in politics

Like every woman in politics in this country, the toughest problem she has to face is the ‘gender’ gap…
==========

and they will as long as women constantly think they are 'victims'...

gdean11

Let me remind you that the NDP brought in legislation to balance the budget which they did in spades. When, in 2001 the Fiberals took over, there was at least 1.4B in the bank. The ineptitude of running the province and the government started the next day after that election.

Moving to the Middle

Under Carole James the NDP numbers have gone way up, she has attempted to reach out to the business community and generally move her party towards the centre and away from the socialist fringe, in order for the party to appeal to a wider proportion of voters.

It seems impossible that she could accept public criticism from a member of her own caucus, particularly as he seemed to be saying that an election platform should be presented now, although the election is a long way off. This would have only demonstrated a weakness, another criticism James often gets.

More meaningless comment from R/man.

It was not James move to the middle that increased her numbers it was Campbell's moves as an arrogant liar. It is all about a vote against Campbell and not a vote for james. It is always interested how R/man tries to show that if the NDP just morphed into liberals, it would be popular.

I see this whole situation

I see this whole situation as a positive one. The Liberals were quite content to watch Carole James slowly lose support with her following. The poll numbers had little to do with how well Ms. James was doing but how much the public disagreed with Campbell's policies and decisions.

I myself was exasperated every time I heard a press release or speech by Ms. James. Even being a supporter I was never stimulated by her delivery. I wondered how she would be able to reach new members with her almost automatom delivery and limited number of topics.

Addressing the problems with the NDP leadership was imminent and it is much better that it happen now then within six months of an election.

Skywalker

Anyone leaving the Liberals didn't suddenly become NDP supporters. They probably went Conservative or Green or "I don't know"s or "None of the above".

NDP support has moved only a few percent so there has been no big inflow of disenchanted Liberals.

Disaray At The NDP House?

Uuugh, more status quo in BC?. The center middle is where voters tend to stay and that's just how it is, well at least for now . Problem is that the voters are not hearing much in the way of what the NDP plan really is. It's all reactionary to Campbell's annoucements or policies etc. James needs to step up and demonstrate that she can lead and more importantly govern. It looks as though she is trying to "make over" her image and get tougher. She should use this new found zeal towards the BC Liberals and nothing more. Oppostion parties can be an effective in government but unless the NDP in BC demonstrates leadership, stability and honesty they can forget winning a majority.

David, read the writing...

Interesting how David Schreck and Carole James are personally attacking Simpson and the rest of her critics. By belittling Bob and trying to marginalize him they are insulting the huge numbers of activists and voters who agree with Bob.
Back in the late 90s the NDP elite, including cabinet ministers and party officials, took the attitude that they alone understood what was going on and that any dissent was both uninformed and impertinent. Moe Sihota, along with Schreck and the others, were proved wrong by a 77-2 margin! These people have worn out any political capital and public credibility they ever had and should just get out of the way, especially Sihota. Moe's baggage from the past is far too heavy for him or the party to carry comfortably and in fact may be a bigger problem than Carole's leadership!
This issue isn't going away now it is out in the open . Attempts to isolate Bob are doomed to fail, as anyone who has been listening to what NDP activists and people around BC are saying is well aware.

Carole's brittle and insincere performance in interviews on this situation, and her obvious anger with her critics, will not play well with the public. Her contention that Bob is just a maverick who can be laughed off is going to anger those who agree with Bob and who expect more from a leader. Her contention that her support in the party is solid is ridiculous given the discussions on the Tyee and around the province - her supporters are greatly outnumbered and are reduced to personal attacks on her critics rather than re4asoned defenses of her performance. Her forced smiles and glib comments were right out of Gordo's playbook - eerily like his press conference discussing Lekstrom's defection - and her arguments all rest on questioning Bob's credibility rather than reinforcing her own.
This is not strong leadership, it is desperation, and will further erode her image with the public, particularly as she is demonstrably wrong in her assessment of the extent of her problems - whistling past the graveyard if you will!

Image Sans Content??

"Within our political paradigm you get Pepsi or you get Coke. Go ahead and vote for a new leader of the NDP; knock yourself out. But come election day, there is still only Pepsi or Coke in the machine. Are you hoping a change will offer up Pepsi Lite perhaps?" samuidave.

8-D lol. The most profound observation here yet.

Though I do also agree with Karen D. If what she is saying is, "Show us the beef! And get on with it while there is still time.)

And there is time, if the NDP REALLY wants to be different, have some depth of analysis and policy, and seriously take up "the people's" cause, and doesn't just want to rebrand itself through another leadership sleight of hand as... Voila!!! Another Pepsi Lite. 8-D

Which methinks is most likely what is really in play here... another change of image sans content.

sdgreen

"Quite frankly we do not even know what the NDP policies might be as there is zero reference on the NDP web site."
and...
"Even Carole James' recent reponses to the Liberals transgressions are somewhat muted, providing no clue on what the NDP would do."

Thank you for the above quotes, it's what I've though for a long time. Even back during the last election I wondered why the NDP didn't come out blazing with all the ammunition Railgate provided. Why they didn't raise a huge cry about Rivergate and Hydro gate. But they didn't show up - they lost by default.

NDP risking a slide into obsolescence

I agree with the many comments above that the NDP has failed to seize the opportunities to explain the NDP platform while offering legitimate criticisms of the Liberal foibles.

Carole James has had 7 years to build a winner, yet it's public distaste for the Liberals that is responsible for the rise of NDP fortunes in the current polls - the NDP should not be congratulating themselves on their return to office in 2013.

Please NDP, state your policies, encourage voter turnout, be proactively critical - there is a lot of material to use. You must understand the large number of NDP voters who, while still voting the party, are seriously disappointed with the leadership.

Without change, the Liberals will take the next election in a walk.

"So, the NDP that I have

"So, the NDP that I have always believed in will support a free vote which should be held at the next convention to determine who the majority support"

Do you not even read the articles you comment on? Didn't you see the part where David pointed out that the current NDP constitution gives the members the right to call a convention to select a new leader if they so desire? There will be a secret ballot on this!

James, by the way, supported the constitutional ammendment that brought this about at the last convention.

Sheesh folks, can you at least read the danged story? Is that asking too much?

thank you David

Thank you for the sanity of this article. Most commentary seems to be thinly veiled misogyny. If the NDP had a male leader and one of his caucus preemptively voiced his concerns in a public forum a week before he was to meet with his leader to discuss these same concerns would we really be responding as we are now? would we really want the leader to keep him in caucus despite the fact that such public airing of grievances undermines the party as a whole? And would we really be blasting a leader that has taken the party from 2 seats to almost winning despite constant media manipulation?

mcccarthy

Yes we would. Gender is irrelevant.

Policies don't change

jim1966 ~ "...Problem is that the voters are not hearing much in the way of what the NDP plan really is. ... James needs to step up and demonstrate that she can lead and more importantly govern."

sdgreen ~ "Quite frankly we do not even know what the NDP policies might be as there is zero reference on the NDP web site."

Policies? Are you guys kidding us? You think a namebrand, political party like the NDP announcing its policy makes a nickels worth of difference?

Let me tell you its policy: to keep serving power as the lickspittle shepherds of the flock; and maybe they will try to bribe you -- with your own stolen wealth -- a little more than the Liberals did.

I don't know why, once explained, there are still so many folks who earnestly think any of these politicos near the top have any vision at all worth supporting. If a single leader of a party truly made that significant of a difference, aren't you admitting that what we have is a form of totalitarian rule unregulated by the theoretical checks and balances?

And once you see that this is de facto the case, then why are you supporting the party at all? Why do you care? Are you hoping to get a better shepherd out of the deal?

If we want change, we have to make it happen. It is not going to ever be offered. And it starts by taking the blinders off so as to learn and understand what is going on. Here's the first intellectual hurdle to get over: stop accepting the idea that these jackasses in government have any ideas beyond playing the political game of fraudulent theft from the people and country.

Since the last election........

..."Since the election, the NDP has a new party president, a new provincial secretary and a significant change to the party constitution requiring leadership reviews at every convention."
BUT STILL no policies to combat the Gordo Gang's pillaging of BC, STILL NO policies to reclaim our ownership of BC assets, STILL NO direction, STILL NO energy, STILL NO effective opposition of the Gordo Gang !!
So, to PROVE she can be decisive, she fires the ONE MLA that IS articulate, IS effective, WAS an effective opposition in forestry matters ? Good move. The ONLY wide-spread public notice that's been taken of the NDP in years, and it ALL BAD. No damn wonder people are looking around for a REAL alternative.
And a hurriedly contrived "damage control" op-ed ain't going to cut it either.

Membership drive

"Organizing in the NDP still remains primarily the responsibility of local constituency associations, ...Simpson.. should look at what his association is doing... It appears that it was more convenient for him to fault James."

If this is true, then why did the party undertake a huge membership drive in the late spring/early summer? They put organizers into constituencies across the province. The result? It's my understanding they signed up a couple hundred members. At most.

Sorry but leaders carry a party. That is just how it works. Jame has to answer for why people are turning away from the party in droves.

Interesting to note

That I have a right under the constitution of my country (Canada) to speak my mind and voice my opinion in public anywhere I please.

But for the grace of God I live in a place where this is permitted at all.....

But join one of these political parties like the Liberals, NDP or the Conservatives and end up in the center circle; suddenly I don’t have that democratic right any longer? Please explain how this is democracy.....I must be stupid......

And these political parties have convinced themselves that they can administer democracy to me and the rest of my province? This is how they convince me that they and they only can teach me what democracy is?

Now if the leader of a political party will dump an objective opinion; an opinion meant to clear the air and assist her in improving her performance for the public; if she is not willing to listen and take this criticism what exactly will convince me that she will listen to my concerns or any concerns of the constituents in this province?

This is a clear warning of things to come. These political parties have run their course in this country; already members are dissatisfied with the leader and there is no election in sight. This sets up the next 10 years or so; we will walk down the left side of the same old road for a while and then the dissatisfaction will lead us back to the right side of the road.

I don’t really care too much which side we walk down; there is no left/ right for me; I am walking with my brothers and sisters in this country but it is still the same old road...

Going Viral

Speaking of "going viral", this mess is all over the media, every possible outlet. My biggest concern now is what are Campbell and Company doing while or attention is focused away from them finally?

The Chips...

"If we want change, we have to make it happen. It is not going to ever be offered. And it starts by taking the blinders off so as to learn and understand what is going on. Here's the first intellectual hurdle to get over: stop accepting the idea that these jackasses in government have any ideas beyond playing the political game of fraudulent theft from the people and country." samuidave.

Amen to that.

But while this IS true, in my view, the rank and file of a Party, such as the NDP actually proclaims itself, has a choice, to be useful or harmful to assisting the creation of this "people's movement" that is the real need in the land. It would be nice if they were actually "helpful", or get out of the way and let the chips fall where they may.

The chips are already falling anyway. :-)

Which is why I wouldn't vote for this crew unless there was actually "something" there that made me think they would make a contribution to the struggles of the coming period. And with the falling chips, it's coming.

Everyone pay attention to the big Currency Wars taking shape within capitalism. It is the sound of capitalism imploding back into the nationalism they have decried over this entire "globalization" period. Next, they will turn to actual, sll out war again for real.

The System is coming unravelled, ready or not, like it or not.