The NDP Can't Call Itself a National Party If Its Leaders Can't Speak French | The Walrus

"Electorally, the party itself needs to recover. But, beyond this, it needs to debate and reckon with more existential questions of policy and purpose. That calls for a genuine process of renewal, not simply a rebrand, and NDP members deserve a leadership race characterized by vibrant, vigorous debate about the party and its future. This being the case, the debate in Montreal this past Thursday -the first of only two official debates currently scheduled-was a resounding failure,"

"In what follows, my purpose is not so much to criticize any of the candidates-who, among other things, were themselves done a disservice by the debate's format-but rather to make some broader points about the debate and race itself. And it leaves one blunt question hanging: does the NDP even want to be a national party? L et's start with the elephant in the room."

"In a November 17 release, party officials announced that the debate would "be held majority in French, underscoring the Party's commitment to engaging Quebec and francophone communities." But if this was the goal, it can safely be said the evening was actively counterproductive."

The New Democratic Party was reduced to seven seats and 6.29 percent of the popular vote in the last federal election, marking the worst showing since 1932. The party requires electoral recovery and a substantive renewal that addresses policy and purpose rather than a simple rebrand. Members deserve a leadership race with vibrant, vigorous debate about the party's future. The Montreal leadership debate was a resounding failure and left observers angry, frustrated, and embarrassed. The debate format disserved candidates and raised a blunt question about whether the NDP aspires to remain a national party. The debate's language choices were counterproductive.

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