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,