Is Olivia Chow destined to become the next NDP leader?
Following Jack Layton's funeral, there will be pressure on his widow, Olivia Chow, to carry on his legacy and enter the race to become the next NDP leader.
As a 15-year-veteran of Toronto municipal politics and as the MP for Trinity-Spadina since 2006, Chow has paid her political dues. She knows the issues and she also speaks Cantonese and Mandarin, which could help the NDP in urban and suburban ridings.
Chow is aware of what the leader's job entails, having seen the sacrifices that her husband made. Her biggest weakness is probably her lack of fluency in the French language, which could be a deal breaker for Quebec members of the NDP caucus.
Democratic dynasties on the rise
In recent years, we're seeing more dynasties in democracies. George W. Bush was the worst president in a generation, and he never would have even been considered for the Republican nomination had it not been for his last name. His brother Jeb's name is trotted out from time to time as a future presidential candidate.
In the Democratic Party, Hillary Clinton and various Kennedys have also gotten big political boosts from having a family member in the White House.
In Asia, the trend is even more pronounced. In Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and the Philippines, widows or daughters of powerful politicians have become prime minister or president. Former Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi's widow, Sonia, oversees the ruling Congress Party and their son, Rahul, is widely seen as a future prime minister.
Canada isn't immune to this trend. Stephen Lewis, a former Ontario NDP leader, is the son of former NDP federal leader David Lewis.
Meanwhile, Justin Trudeau is being seriously considered as a potential leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, primarily on the strength of his father's record. One of his possible opponents, Dominic LeBlanc, is the son of a former Liberal cabinet minister and governor general.
It leaves me wondering how much longer we'll have to wait until Ben Mulroney's name is being thrown around as a potential prime minister.
Chow is no Ben Mulroney, and she gained political office honestly and on her own merits. But if she is perceived to have inherited the leadership of the NDP from her deceased husband, expect more talk in Canada about the pros and cons of dynasties in democracies—regardless of whether or not Justin Trudeau emerges as the next Liberal standard-bearer.
Follow Charlie Smith on Twitter at twitter.com/csmithstraight.
Comments
8 Comments
Anne Streeter
Aug 29, 2011 at 2:47pm
I think she would be awesome but it is out the question as the next leader must be fluently bilingual. We have to keep Quebec on side as Quebecers were instrumental in the big NDP victory. Quebecers are essentially social democrats - and as Martha says "that's a good thing"!
Taxpayers R Us
Aug 29, 2011 at 4:04pm
Jack and Olivia did a lot of their thinking together, says the chattering class. In theory, Olivia would be an extension of Jack.
Unless they find another all-out superstar, Olivia - or even Mike - have the best chance of salvaging that party.
James G
Aug 29, 2011 at 4:33pm
Even within the NDP, there are far more family connections and potential 'dynasties' than you suggested. What about the future careers of Paul Dewar, Nikki Ashton, Rebecca Blaikie or even Jack Layton's son Mike?
I hope that these aspects don't resonate with the delegates who do select Mr. Layton's replacement any more than putting details like gender, race or fluency in French above the single greatest need which is Leadership itself. In 1989, riding a near-suicidal wave of ultra political correctness, the NDP charged ahead because it wanted to be the first party to be led by a woman. So it cast aside the proven leadership abilities of Dave Barrett and instead chose an unknown quantity in Audrey McLaughlin.
The Party was rebuilt by the able Alexa McDonaugh and by the time she stepped aside, learned it's lesson. When Layton went for the leadership, none other than Ed Broadbent emerged to remind delegates not to discount Jack because he was too charismatic. Funny, yes but also true! In the next election, let's hope they again get it right by not looking at a sympathy vote, play race or ethnic politics, look first to gender or put ability in French above all else. Leadership skills above all else once again please and the rest will fall into place! Of course, the leadership skills may well reside in Chow or in women or men of any background but let's find leaders who can and will lead!
RonM
Aug 29, 2011 at 6:28pm
Chow will receive about a half Million$$$ payout from Jack's parliamentary pension, tax-free. She will have that money to finance her leadership campaign and drown the opposition out. Next NDP leader -- Olivia Chow.
Shaking my head
Aug 29, 2011 at 9:15pm
Another stupid comment by RonM. Individuals can't finance their own leadership campaigns anymore, since the law was changed. People will just make up shit, and post it online.
Clydeside Red
Aug 30, 2011 at 7:18am
Not only is Olivia's French lousy, her English is not the best she does stuff like mix up of and for, ie she will introduce my sister, as the sister for me. She was a great councillor, and I am hoping she will return to city council, we could sure use her right now
forever sad about Layton
Aug 30, 2011 at 2:04pm
too bad Olivia does not speak French, then we could have had a trilingual, female Prime Minister.
James G
Aug 30, 2011 at 6:15pm
There is a trilingual MP with leadership qualities who represents this very province in Ottawa. He was at the Jack Layton rally in Burnaby just before the last federal election and was wearing an orange tie. Any guesses?