What's really going on with the Vancouver East NDP nomination race?

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      It's a bit odd when two pals who've backed one another's political campaigns decide to square off in a nomination fight.

      But that appears to be what's happening in the battle to secure the federal NDP nod in Vancouver East.

      NDP MLA Mable Elmore recently announced that she hopes to succeed Libby Davies, who isn't seeking reelection.

      Former Vancouver city councillor Ellen Woodsworth has also said that she's seriously considering entering the race.

      Just last year, Woodsworth helped Elmore beat back a challenge from B.C. Liberal candidate Gabby Kalaw in Vancouver-Kensington.

      During that campaign, Woodsworth tweeted birthday greetings to her friend. And Elmore offered lavish praise for Woodsworth, calling her a "very strong candidate" and a "good friend" with a long history of involvement in the Downtown Eastside.

      "I've supported her on many election campaigns," Elmore said.

      Both have a keen interest in transit issues, too, with Woodsworth consistently supporting better bus service when she was on council from 2002 to 2005 and again from 2008 to 2011. Elmore was a transit operator before entering politics and was very active in the union that represents bus drivers.

      They share a passion for peace issues. Woodsworth cochaired a City of Vancouver peace and justice committee just as Elmore, an antiwar activist at the time, was publicly advocating against a looming U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

      They've marched in the Downtown Eastside to bring attention to missing and murdered aboriginal women. In 2010, Woodsworth and Elmore joined a demonstration by housekeeping staff outside the Hyatt Regency Vancouver.

      They also appeared together with Davies in Angelina Contada's short documentary about queer female politicians called Powerful Out Women (POW!): On the Campaign Trail.

      Between 2009 and 2011, Vancouver had three out women elected to three levels of government.

      Elmore and Woodsworth would each face an uphill challenge against another potential candidate, Jenny Kwan, who's represented Vancouver–Mount Pleasant in the legislature since 1996.

      Kwan appears to be putting the pieces together for her campaign. This shouldn't come as a huge surprise, given that she upset fellow provincial caucus members in 2010 by publicly calling for Carole James to step down as leader of the B.C. NDP.

      It's not a stretch to imagine that Elmore and Woodsworth would back one another should either of them come third in a three-way race against Kwan.

      So is Elmore's decision to enter the race with Woodsworth all about pooling their strengths, signing up new members, and ensuring that one of them, rather than Kwan, becomes the next NDP MP in Vancouver East?

      It's not that far-fetched an idea, given their long history of working together on various other causes in the past. 

      Comments

      8 Comments

      Kelley Riley

      Dec 23, 2014 at 11:09am

      Charlie, having lived in the riding for 25 years, I have to say Libby's shoes are big to fill but looks like there are 3 potential and maybe more strong female, hard working candidates to represent this interesting riding. I know you will keep us up to date on this race.I moved to the West End 3 years ago, and am now in another interesting riding!

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      Grant

      Dec 23, 2014 at 11:35am

      Charlie, I think you might have a bias against Kwan. One small paragraph?

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      bruther

      Dec 23, 2014 at 1:13pm

      Assuming this analysis is true, of course, it's a sad story. This sort of almost-public petty infighting is the kind of thing that brings down political parties. For example, the last year of COPE... We've had a weak opposition to the ruling party in B.C. for far too long, meaning that even visible incompetence can't affect the Liberal's fortunes.

      Grant

      Dec 23, 2014 at 4:28pm

      Charlie,
      Point taken.

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      The lame left rises yet again and again and again

      Dec 23, 2014 at 6:17pm

      Davies and Woodsworth, Elmore and now Louie four people who've been on what is called "the left" throughout it's pathetic timidity and increasing irrelevancy for decades now. Only Davies even exhibited any passion, at least at one time, when she was working closely with Svend Robinson to try to push the NDP a bit to the left. They failed and Davies went to sleep for a long time. Davies, Woodsworth, Elmore and Louis, people like these need to jump in the trash can of history. Note all four of these 'leftists' are Visionoids, and Vision, the NDP, the US Democrats, the LIberals, UK Labour are dead centrists. As the centre has drifted right so have they. The 'left' is dead, long live the left.

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      Cariboo Dan

      Dec 23, 2014 at 6:31pm

      I like Ellen and Raymond, even though Jenny did a great job helping to hold the fort after the BC NDP were reduced to two seats.

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      Miranda da Cruz Diaz

      Dec 27, 2014 at 3:27pm

      Knowing just a little about histories and politics in the BC NDP, it seems that Jenny Kwan has been kind of shut out by the party since the Carole James incident. I think James had to go and that Jenny Kwan probably intended for a more lively, critical leader to provide leadership. That didn't happen. For my money, Kwan is the best NDP bet so far. But since there are lots of interests at play ( and maybe even at odds) here, it could get even more difficult. Should be worth watching, for sure.

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