Is it time for a new NDP Leader in Manitoba?

Thank you for the information. 

If they add a commitment to anti-scab legislation, that could be compelling.

genstrike wrote:

Ken Burch wrote:

Thank you for the information. 

If they add a commitment to anti-scab legislation, that could be compelling.

If the NDP added a commitment to anti-scab legislation, that would also be compelling.

Better (half a century) late than never!

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Former Cabinet Minister publishes ironically-titled book detailing the plot against Selinger:

Quote:

Gord Mackintosh, who was a cabinet minister the entire time the NDP was in power between 1999 and 2016, details the behind-the-scenes arguments that led to a revolt by other cabinet ministers in 2014 and to a convention at which Selinger hung on to his position as party leader by 33 votes.

Mackintosh's new book "Stories Best Left Untold" comes out May 23 and covers his youth in Fort Frances, Ont., his time as a lawyer advising Elijah Harper on opposing the Meech Lake accord and his service in a variety of cabinet portfolios such as justice, conservation and family services.

The book reveals cabinet discussions about Selinger's controversial move to raise the provincial sales tax and the ensuing effort to dump him to revive the party's sagging poll numbers.

Selinger had promised in the 2011 election campaign not to raise the sales tax, but the government was in a cash crunch and needed money, Mackintosh writes. Weeks before the 2013 budget, cabinet ministers had options they thought would be more palatable to the public: income tax increases on high-earners or a series of smaller tax and levy increases that would, combined, raise as much money.

Selinger didn't listen to warnings the public would be angry at the broken promise and a major public relations campaign would be needed to sell the increase, Mackintosh writes.

I adamantly disagree with his characterization of Gary Doer. For all the talk about different approaches, remember that  Selinger served as Doer's right hand man in Finance as they continued the tax cut policies of the prior Filmon government, which undermined the treasury to the point that was used to justify the need for the PST increase, even though the CCPA documented that the tax cuts the NDP handed out would have covered the deficit for one year. The party has for decades been a top-down organization controlled by the leadership, with the job of a member being to shut up, give money and free labour at election time, and cheer on the Glorious Leader. The fact that the NDP went from an historically high seat count to an historically low one in one election cycle really speaks to the gutting of the grassroots capabilities that would have saved party seats when the times got rough. The difference was charm. Doer was able to charm people in a very sleazy and underhanded way, while Selinger in my view always lacked the warmth, charm and charisma one expects to find in a common piece of particle board.

The real reason for the difference in the popularity of the 2 men is timing. Doer was in Opposition at a time when federal government transfers were cut and provinces were taking it out on their populations, and became Premier at around the time that federal transfers increased. Very easy to be popular in those circumstances. Doer left around the time of the financial crash when government finances collapsed along the way. Any Premier under those circumstances would have lost popularity as they alienated people with tough decisions needed to address the crisis, as Brad Wall is learning the hard way next door. Doer had the good sense to leave and have someone else clean up the mess. Even though Doer may enjoy the popularity he experienced at the time, I think history will judge his legacy much more harshly, given the high rates of poverty, the large numbers of Aboriginals locked up in jail, the rural countryside being destroyed by hog barns, and no moves to make unionizing easier or ban replacement workers during a strike or lockout. He also gets to enjoy himself while Pallister is currently undoing the positive aspects of Doer's legacy such as Neighbourhoods Alive!

In any case, I do hope to read the book when it comes out.