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,
Crombie, who was chosen as party leader in 2023, decided to step down as soon as a successor is chosen after receiving a weak show of support in a leadership vote at the party's annual general meeting. Crombie and the Liberal caucus, along with most of the elected officials from all four parties represented at the legislature, were set to appear at the International Plowing Match in the Niagara region.
