Chinese media back NDP's Jenny Kwan
The NDP MLA for Vancouver–Mount Pleasant, Jenny Kwan, has garnered significant support in the local Chinese media by publicly calling for the ouster of NDP Leader Carole James. Some Chinese-language commentators have suggested that the B.C. NDP could suffer a backlash from voters of Chinese descent if the party punishes Kwan for criticizing the leader.
Guo Ding, a talk-show host on Omni Television, wrote an opinion piece calling for the community to unite and support Kwan. The article, which appeared in Global Chinese Press prior to James’s December 6 resignation, claimed that Kwan wants to save the NDP. Guo added that even though he doesn’t agree with many of Kwan’s ideas, he values her political integrity, calling her an “outstanding parliamentarian”.
“What Kwan has demonstrated is the following principle: Chinese Canadians who aspire to participate in politics must have convictions, believe in democratic values, stand by principles, speak forthrightly for voters, [and] stand up at the most critical moment to be counted,” Guo wrote, according to a translation of his article.
He noted that the Chinese community has a responsibility to support Kwan at this moment. “The dispute between Kwan and James is not personal; it’s about right and wrong,” Guo added. “I hope Chinese activists stand up and be counted.”
In a phone interview with the Georgia Straight, Guo said it would be a “big loss” for first-generation Chinese Canadians if Kwan left the NDP. “She represents the Chinese people,” he claimed. “She shows the Chinese people how to participate. She has strong opinions and a strong voice.”
The editor in chief of Global Chinese Press, Frank Huang, told the Straight by phone that the B.C. NDP could lose many votes within the Chinese Canadian community if Kwan is tossed out of caucus. He pointed out that Kwan is the only NDP MLA of Chinese descent. “If the NDP punishes Jenny, it will hurt the feelings of the Chinese community,” he said.
Some NDP veterans have been scathing in their criticism of Kwan. Ian Reid, former chief of staff to James, stated on his blog that she “must resign”. Another veteran New Democrat, David Black of the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union Local 378, has also called for her ouster. “The NDP can’t move on until Jenny Kwan resigns. The rift in caucus won’t heal, respect for the Party can’t be restored, and we can’t win,” Black, son of NDP MLA Dawn Black, wrote in a December 7 tweet.
The NDP holds six of 14 Lower Mainland constituencies in which more than 20 percent of the voters are of Chinese descent, according to the 2006 census. NDP acting caucus chair Kathy Corrigan represents Burnaby–Deer Lake, where 40 percent of the voters were of Chinese descent. Corrigan, who didn’t return a call from the Straight by deadline, won by 512 votes in 2009.
More than 50 percent of the residents of Vancouver-Kingsway, which is represented by NDP MLA Adrian Dix, were of Chinese descent in 2006. In NDP MLA Mable Elmore’s neighbouring constituency of Vancouver-Kensington, 39 percent were of Chinese descent. In Vancouver-Fraserview, which the NDP narrowly lost in the last election, 44 percent were of Chinese descent. In Burnaby-Edmonds, which is held by NDP MLA Raj Chouhan, 28 percent were of Chinese descent.
Sunny Chan, a radio talk-show host on AM 1320, told the Straight by phone that he doubts the NDP will lose many votes outside of Vancouver–Mount Pleasant if Kwan is kicked out of the party. However, Chan said that he supports Kwan’s actions and feels that the NDP is better off without James as leader.
Meanwhile, community activist Thekla Lit told the Straight by phone that if the NDP disciplines Kwan, it will alienate voters across the spectrum. “Jenny is not doing this for her power,” Lit said. “She’s doing it for the sake of the NDP and the whole province. Of course, the Chinese community, like the other people, can see it very clearly. If the NDP is that unwise, then it will have a backlash.”
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Comments
46 Comments
Strong New Democrat
Dec 9, 2010 at 7:05am
So we should continue to ignore democracy because some ethnic community will offer us a backlash? I am one of the least racist people I know but that last statement could be taken as a threat. Get on board with Jenny, ignore all of the blood sweat and tears offered up by our elders to build a democratic party? Just so these mutineers can take over our party and throw democratic rule out the window? Sorry this is just plain wrong. I don't think any actions should be faith/race based and if the criteria is such then it is not a helpful addition to any group.
NDB
Dec 9, 2010 at 7:26am
IMO Chinese people supporting Kwan because she is Chinese amounts to racism. What if Caucasians didn't support Kwan because she is Chinese? Its the same thing this its being called to support Kwan and not other MLAs because of race.
virgil miner
Dec 9, 2010 at 7:35am
typical backlash attitude, small minded and racist.
Shawn
Dec 9, 2010 at 7:47am
NDP members who are against Jenny Kwan have their heads in the sand if they think their criticiscms hold any weight with the general public, regardless of race. Jenny comes off smelling of roses while they all look like left wing bullies. They are not the representitives of progressive voters, but rather the thugs and goons of big unions, like the teachers, where Carole James came from.
Scott Clark
Dec 9, 2010 at 7:53am
I believe Ms. Kwan showed leadership by taking the stand she did.
I believe there is a divide between old school party politics and the new emerging politics. MLA BC Liberal (former)Bill Bennett stated it when he spoke out against the concentrated power control of party politics acting like dictators. Opposition NDP leader Ms. James tried using this style and it blew up her chances of leading the party into the next election.
The NDP party talking heads need to look at the polling numbers critically and start listening to average Joe and Jane voter and non voter. In the last provincial election only 50% of elegible voters got out and voted. That other 50% are frustrated and if the NDP talking heads want to win the next election they should embrace ideals that Ms. Kwan shared and get to work and select a leader who will reach out to them and get out to vote.
If the NDP power brokers kick Jenny Kwan out of the party, not only will it prove that they are old school paternalistic talking heads but that they will lose more support from many other sectors of the BC population.
Collectively these political parties have to pull their heads out of the sand and see that many people are tired of dictatorships running the government institutions. If they cannot or will not then they should step aside and make way for those that will.
ishkabibble
Dec 9, 2010 at 8:14am
well done, jenny. boot the party leader, create chaos and turmoil within the party then swoop in as the great (insert colour of choice here) hope. pretty gutless and underhanded vs. challenging for the leadership directly.
Duf
Dec 9, 2010 at 9:35am
I believe Jenny Kwan did what was needed.
James should have called for a leadership review after the last election, she did not. One of the main job of a leader should be to turn around once in awhile and make sure all are following. In this James failed.
James was a good for the NDP, but she failed in one aspect, not calling for a leadership review.
TM Poo
Dec 9, 2010 at 9:39am
Agree with the Chinese media here. Do not agree with the backroom guys in the NDP. I have always had a soft spot for Mr. David Black, I have always thought of him as a bridge builder, but he has showed that he is becoming a boiler room hack as he ages.
Best regards
Thelonius
Rory Gylander
Dec 9, 2010 at 10:14am
Ms. Kwan has been an elected member for how long, ten, twelve years or so? I follow politics and until recently hard to know she was still around. Considering the little we have heard of her opinions on anything in all that time sure makes me wonder who put her up to this. Carole James, possibly, should have resigned earlier, but the manner in which her resignation was brought about has assured another Liberal victory and me running out of politicians to support. Good work guys.
e.a.f.
Dec 9, 2010 at 10:30am
In my opinion, Kwan did what she believed was right. I am sure she knew she might be thrown out of caucus but went ahead and did what she believed was right.
Although many speak about democracy and the majority of caucus supported James, a third didn't. A leader can not head into an election with those types of figures.
James should not have tossed Simpson out of caucus without a vote by caucus. For any one to call for Kwan and the others to be tossed out of caucus isn't the brightest thing to do. It would split the party. The party now needs to move ahead asap.
Both Joe Clark and the leader of labour in Australia were "deposed" by their parties and stayed on. Clark continued to have a decent political career, whether we agree with his politics or not.
Of course the Chinese community supports Kwan. There is nothing "racist" about that. The community is proud of her accomplishments and she is a role model within the community.
All sorts of politicians have gone back to their ethnic communities for support. You don't think there were Dutch who voted for Vander Zalm because he was from Holland or Italian descent politicians who went to their ethnic communities or Indian descent communities, etc.
People don't necessarily support those from their own ethnic communities, especially if they don't agree with their politics, but it never hurts a politician to use the support of their ethnic community, especially at fund raising time.
People need to get over it all and move ahead with the program, which is forming a good opposition and then a good government.