Former NDP cabinet ministers duel in public over the leadership of Carole James

Earth to Paul, earth to Paul.... the party is already split. The people of the province, on the other hand are far less so - they are completely disinterested in James and have said so a number of times.

David H - whether one supports Carole James or not -- what you have said is precisely what I'm thinking as I read this----i'ts like the supporters think we aren't reading this and they are having the debate in private.

If what Corky says is true --- then this situation is on Carole. The problem is now that the problem is out there - there's no turning back---there's no way to explain a coming together without admitting drugs are involved.

Carole should step up and say -- if there is one of you out there willing to challenge me in a leadership election---speak up you've got 2 weeks (let Christy Clark see what she wants to do -- in case she wants to fracture the coalition)--------------and if no-one steps up -- say I told ya so - whiners--

that's all she can do. Pounding a hammy fist with the crazy horse out of the barn---trampling folks is bad politics. Having former MLA's like Paul Ramsey attempting to write away what already done -- gives some insight to the kind of bubble the party operates in.

Can't call Campbell bubble boy - he held his coalition - no matter how bad one thinks it is/and he's still premier -- he held an unnatural coalition------------right tight.

The NDP are natural activists that attract some Reform Liberals (federal Liberals) - but this dynamic on the left is changing - and grass roots Reformers (though of as the right) will hook up with grass roots democrats on populist principles.

Vander Zalm didn't just bust up Campbell - he busted up Carole too.

The press grossly underestimates the dutchman in my opinion. They yell and scream and call him names------------ignore the true and full impact of the politics of the successful Fight HST program and continue to underestimate what Recall means--because they don't want new actors in their little clique - e sandbox. Carole got caught in the middle of the HST action and let Zalm take the wheel. Now he's driving - and there isn't much any of the owners of means can do to stop him -. Its Christmas and people are all noticing the tax - like a pimple in the middle of the forehead.

All of this action made voters and some in her own caucus unsure of Carole's ability to replace Campbell. Once that happens and spreads -- you can't put it back together with a meeting playing adult child--it will only get worse.

First, Jenny Kwan and any other MLA's who refuse to abide by the BC NDP's democratically elected leader should be removed from the NDP Caucus. They are clearly not interested in the needs of ordinary BCers who have been disadvantaged by the BC Liberals.

Second, Bob Williams is a pompous prick. I spoke to him on the phone recently and he said the same as was quoted in the article above. He also said that Carole may have the skills to understand education issues, but not economics. So what! Everyone has their area of expertise and the whole of BC knows that Bob Williams is cut from the same cloth as Jenny Kwan. The cloth of pomposity and selfishness, the one that says, "We are not team players, because we are smarter than the rest of you".

Bob could have been old and wise, instead he is bitter, a sad reality.

Jenny and Corky's very public criticism of Carol James makes no sense at all. To say she's supposed to step down because a few MLAs approached her privately sounds like minority rule. Does Corky condone the ability of the Republican minority in the US to block the will of the people for public healthcare and banking reform? Carole continues to have the solid support of the majority of caucus. They can work with her. Why can't the others? Stop making a spectacle of yourselves and get back to work.

Call me naive' but it all seems too simple to me. If Carole James, and her supporters, are SOOOOO confident that she is the great leader they claim her to be, then get on with it.. bring forth the leadership election.

If they are right, she will win the position back fair and and square. But, if they are wrong, i personally beleive the NDP party would end up far stronger and far more effective than they have been for some time. (because i think Carole James is a bully, and egomaniac and possibly an even bigger threat to our province than, gulp - dare i say - Gordo.)

Does anyone really think the party can get back to work under the current situation? Not bloody likely. What's done is done - it's now a contest that James has to deal with, although her method of dealing seems too often to follow the the methods of the Queen of Hearts "Cut off their heads!!!

Jesus, who needs the "Young & the Restless" with this drama unfolding right before our eyes? I am sure Grant Notley and Tommy Douglas are twisting in their graves.
keep it coming, Charlie, this is quite entertaining!

About how she feels, and feels and feels not about the issues affecting British Columbians you can't expect Kwan to get to excited about that.
After all those years in office and hardly a peep from Kwan and here she could have raised the roof to get at issues plaguing her constituients.
Not likely that will happen with Kwan on board and Eastends residents can only hope there is someone new to take her place who cares enough to do the job.

I am completely baffled. We live in a democractic society. I thought that the majority ruled. (convention policies are voted on and are decided by the majority.) If the majority rules, we of course have a preliminary process decided by the majority. Have I said "majority" enough? Last convention it was decided (and voted on) that we would have a leadership review in 2011, when the next convention is. Wouldn't you protest if this guideline was ignored. Shake your heads people!!! This is a democractic society!!!

It's a sad thing about Jenny Kwan and her fellow complainers. If the best they can do for advice and counsel is Williams, Evans and Sawicki then no wonder they're wildly thrashing about. And I can't help thinking the impetus for Jenny's repudiation of the person she nominated as leader seven years ago, was a decision not to run in the next election (as least, not as an NDPer), Most certainly, if she gets what she wants - a leadership convention - the question of trustworthiness will haunt her thereafter no matter what political mantle she wears.

Isn't that what you call it and what most are told "don't air your dirty laundry in a publc place" apparently not Kwan's mom its air it, broadcast it and yell it from the highest places even if it hurts the NDP.

Airing the dirty laundry is better than business as usual. Assclowns, stop inflicting CJ on us as the left candidate. I gather that you have no idea what people think of the NDP. They think that socialism is communism, that the NDP exists to replace all businesses with safe injection sites, and to replace all mentions of amen in the Bible with awomyn. It is perfectly sane and fine to be on the left, and to advocate for the left virtues such as solidarity, compassion, and cooperation. There is a very strong moral and business case to be made for the left. Unfortunately, the NDP stinks, frankly, at selling itself as the vessel for these virtues. It is a wishywashy party of nothing -- "working families"? LOL. Don't you people understand that in an election, the corporate-pandering party starts with the inside lane automatically? The NDP has to be better than the opposition in every way. The engine has to be a superior strategic plan for British Columbia, but the pilot also has to be someone with charisma. It's fine for the corporate-pander party to have a dullard but you absolutely cannot. If airing this dirty laundry is what is needed to get Gregor Robertson -- your best shot, because he is leftish enough AND has run! a! small! business! AND is goodlooking -- into the driver's seat then, so be it. Just fucking do it already.