NDP leader Jack Layton “had it all” and will be revered much like former leader Tommy Douglas, according to Vancouver Kingsway NDP MP Don Davies.

“Tommy was part of a minority government whose determination and sheer willpower and drive brought us medicare and EI and national programs that defined who we are as Canadians,” Davies told the Straight by phone from his office today (August 22), following Layton’s passing from cancer at around 1:45 a.m. Pacific time. “Jack didn’t have the same opportunity, but he did influence budgets that I think made profound shifts in our time. So I think Jack will be revered as much as Tommy, but maybe in a different way.”

Davies, who was first elected to the East Vancouver riding in 2008 and re-elected in 2011, noted he first met Layton when he was running to be party leader in 2003, but got to know him in 2006, and really got to know him in 2008.

“It’s funny, Jack was such an outstanding person in so many ways that my thoughts [on him] keep developing,” Davies said. “I mean, it’s a tough thing to absorb when someone so profoundly talented and influential passes. It’s hard to absorb at once, but he was simply one of the finest people I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. He was a rare and outstanding leader, and he was magnificent in person. He had it all. I mean, sometimes you meet people who are outstanding in certain areas. Jack was outstanding in just about every area.”

According to Davies, Layton was outstanding intellectually, socially, strategically, musically, athletically, “and he was just one of the finest people I think that Canada has ever produced”.

Davies said one thing he remembers about being in Layton’s NDP team was the manner in which he reached consensus with every member of his caucus by allowing them to respond to his ideas for one minute and then summarizing what he had heard and “respectfully” accommodating every viewpoint.

“I think the French philosopher Flaubert said energy is the essence of genius,” Davies added in closing. “And that’s something that really typified Jack too. His energy was unbelievable. You combine that energy with his courage and his compassion and his dedication to make Canada a better place for everybody, and I think you have a very rare phenomenon in politics. What you’re seeing here is not just New Democrats in mourning. I’m generally feeling that all Canadians of all political stripes are feeling a sense of loss. That’s a rare tribute to a politician, in the partisan cut-and-thrust and conflict of politics.”

Added Davies, “There’s many elected officials, but very few leaders. Jack was a real leader.”