Jenny Kwan predicts B.C. NDP caucus will unite

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      Jenny Kwan says the NDP has started to heal itself, but a former New Democrat MLA believes the party has been mortally wounded by the bitter ouster of leader Carole James.

      “Already, MLAs are reaching out to each other and connecting,” Kwan, the NDP’s longest-serving MLA—who dealt James a major blow with a December 1 statement calling for a change in the party leadership—told the Straight in a phone interview. “I feel that our caucus members will unite and that we’ll be able to move forward.”

      However, former New Democrat MLA David Schreck claimed that Kwan and the other party dissenters who forced James out have destroyed the B.C. NDP.

      “This split goes to the roots of the party,” Schreck told the Straight in a phone interview on December 6, the day James announced she would be relinquishing the leadership of the party. “One side or the other was going to win, and whichever side lost, there are people who are going to walk. And as a result of that, the party is permanently damaged.”

      He even went so far as to predict that the next general election, in 2013, “will be a cakewalk for the Liberals, and the NDP will be lucky if they can elect a half-dozen seats” in the legislative assembly.

      That’s because supporters disillusioned by the infighting will no longer donate money or volunteer their time during election campaigns, Schreck said.

      According to him, the dissidents could have simply waited for the party’s convention in November 2011, defeated James in a leadership review, and had a new leader crowned in time for the 2013 general election.

      “They could have gotten a new leader in”¦without damaging the party,” he said. “They chose a route in which the prize they’ve won they’ve made worthless.”

      James, who was elected leader in 2003, led the NDP to two consecutive electoral defeats.

      The statement she delivered to media on December 6 reflected the rancour that has divided the party. “Over the last two months, we’ve seen some members of our caucus decide to use their time and energy infighting instead of working on behalf of British Columbians,” James said. She noted that she and others tried to resolve the issues, without success.

      James also said that her time and energy had been consumed by the conflict, and “that’s not right.”

      “It’s not productive, it’s not useful, and, most importantly, it’s not serving the people of British Columbia,” she added.

      According to Kwan, Schreck is “dead wrong”.

      “We’re undergoing that renewal process,” the Vancouver–Mount Pleasant MLA told the Straight on December 7. “We’re confident that we’ll unite under our leader that’s chosen by our members through a one-member, one-vote leadership convention.”

      Comments

      20 Comments

      Ray I

      Dec 8, 2010 at 5:29pm

      Maybe "Sticky Fingers" Svend can come to their rescue?

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      Clive

      Dec 8, 2010 at 5:48pm

      David Schreck and Paul Ramsey are like a poison; never heard so much negativity as they try to inflict damage on the NDP. Carole should have stepped down gracefully after losing the second election. Most voters would not support the NDP with Carole leading them. As for David saying they should have waited til Nov.2011 for a leadership review thats way too late; the new BC Liberal may call a snap election in the fall. Why would David also think that most of want another term of those corrupt, self-serving liars dictating to us?

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      kenneyboy

      Dec 8, 2010 at 5:57pm

      Schreck couldn't be more wrong, with Carole in charge, the NDP was extremely demoralized, with memberships and contributions down. I think his thoughtless and irresponsible comments are way off the mark, and doing harm to the party. The NDP need a new generation of leadership in order to captivate the imagination of voters.

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      Jim Van Rassel

      Dec 8, 2010 at 5:58pm

      Yes it will Jenny, but not around you. With the likes of Mike Farnworth as the head representative of the NDP with party will go on to do great things.
      Jim Van Rassel
      Coquitlam BC

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      Ernie Seedhouse

      Dec 8, 2010 at 5:59pm

      The caucus needs to unite and take control away from the provincial council. We the voters expect our MLAs to respect the voters in the riding and represent all within the riding. The Caucus makes the decisions the council advises the Caucus. If you can't figure that out you will never form a government. We had enough of the 90s NDP we don't want them back. We want a new NDP.

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      RonS

      Dec 8, 2010 at 6:14pm

      Schreck get over it. It's done. Get off the high moral ground and start working with what has happened. If you want to prove you're right, get to work and shutup! I'm tired of your complaining.

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      tim.

      Dec 8, 2010 at 7:26pm

      maybe david schreck needs to realize that the divide is exasperated by bitter grapes like him.

      move on. whatever happened, happened. let's look forward and fight the real enemies -- the bc liberals.

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      whatAjoke

      Dec 8, 2010 at 7:49pm

      At this point, a mime could offer more insight on the NDP than Jenny Kwannabe...

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      seth

      Dec 8, 2010 at 8:39pm

      Shrek is one of the most wretched influences in BC. Listening to his whiney voice on air spewing vitriol, makes the listener reach for the dial instantly.

      For those that remember he successfully stopped BC's advance into the future by leading the opposition to STV. If there is a negative cause to espouse Shrek is on it. Fortunately last one was his opposition to the HST. One of my favourite moments during the STV campaign was UVic prof Dennis Pilon giving Shrek an unforgettable on air butt kicking.

      Shrek has actually admitted on air that he thinks that the worst of the MSM the slick, biased Vaughn Palmer is a great journalist.

      Rumour has it that James's caucus supporters actually numbered around ten - a small minority.

      The outspoken 13 had another 10 or so MLA's on their side that didn't want to be targeted by the thugs that run the party - Sohita,Shrek and gang. A few of them will want to run to take her place and don't need the baggage.

      Given the vitriol being dumped on the 13 by thugs like Shreck and his pals at the MSM. it's no wonder other critics chose to go along to get along. This is one of techniques used by third world regimes that want to silence critics - go nuclear on them.

      Note that Gordo had the same 85% support by party brass and a similar sized group of dissidents. Because unlike James he actually has a brain and some education to go along with it, he realized his goose was cooked and he resigned. With James being too stupid and stubborn (her most noteworthy character traits} to take any hints, the group had to use the nuclear option.

      This is the NDP's big chance cuz they have a star waiting to take the reins of power. This is the reason the MSM has released it's wolfpack on the NDP. They are terrified of John Horgan.

      Those who have heard him in the Leg or on the air, know John will wipe the floor with the Christy Clarks, Kevin Falcons, and Bill Good's of the BC scene - and do it with humor,class and charisma.

      You wait and see!!
      seth

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      glen p robbins

      Dec 8, 2010 at 8:50pm

      Jim, I am uncertain what you mean by head representative -- however, for my part - I can assure you that the public has abandoned the provincial scene - Campbell HST James NDP, sick of the same old - same old - including Clark - they are fed up -- the BC political scene needs new faces and new ideas---or you will see a new third party in government.

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