NDP supporters “frequently” complain about Carole James, Michael Sather says
The NDP MLA who survived a 2007 suspension from his party’s caucus is calling the ejection of Cariboo North MLA Bob Simpson a “loss”.
“I know that Bob has had some concerns that he’s expressed previously about policy direction, leadership, et cetera,” Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows MLA Michael Sather told the Straight by phone today (October 7). “But I mean it is certainly a loss. The guy is smart and he works very hard, and it’s certainly a loss to our caucus.”
NDP Leader Carole James contacted Simpson, a two-term MLA and one-time B.C. Liberal member, last night (October 6) to inform him he was no longer a member of her caucus.
James based the decision on comments Simpson made about her leadership on the Welcome to Williams Lake website.
“I would have preferred that there had been a discussion with the executive about it, but I guess that’s the leader’s prerogative,” Sather said. “There’s not too much I can say, Matt, about what goes on in caucus. But I will say that I have to deal frequently with our supporters, who complain to me about our leadership.”
Of the criticism, Sather noted that “it’s sometimes hard to narrow it down” to specifics. “But I guess it would come down to a lack of confidence,” he added.
Sather also said it was appropriate for NDP members to review the party’s leadership at its next convention in 2011 “like any political party”.
Asked to offer his views on James’s leadership performance, Sather said, “I really can’t say too much about that right at this time.”
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Comments
10 Comments
bland
Oct 8, 2010 at 9:18am
Who cares..its the NDP. What purpose do they really serve? They will never gt back into power (like the liberals) and Carol James is simply not a leader to waste my vote. I wouldnt hire her to be my assistant let alone take my vote to be a political leader.
East Van Observer
Oct 8, 2010 at 11:03am
The cracks in the NDP are finally starting to show. One can only hope that party members will rally to oust Carole James and make the party relevant again.
I don't think that the NDP necessarily requires a leader who treats provincial politics as a blood sport but he/she should at least have a backbone. James has been so mushy in the middle, while a good strategy several years ago to bring the party back from the brink, is long past its expiry date. James' strategy has failed to evolve and she has failed to show herself to be a strong and inspiring leader, though probably a nice person to have tea and chat with.
The Skipper
Oct 8, 2010 at 12:22pm
The only real problem with Ms James is that she is still paying too much attention to the old-school anti-environmental unionists and not enough to the the more progressive left (which includes many enlightened people in the labour movement). A lot of true social democrats are turned off by the kind of cynical opportunistic "strategies" suggested by the likes of Bill Tieleman (and his pals on the extreme right), not to mention the attacks on environmentalists by the fossils in the party. We need someone -- and maybe it can me Ms James -- who will stand up for the true principles of democratic socialism, including the environmental issues that are an important factor in social-justice issues.
RodSmelser
Oct 8, 2010 at 12:59pm
===>>> (Anon) East Van
I don't think that the NDP necessarily requires a leader who treats provincial politics as a blood sport but he/she should at least have a backbone. James has been so mushy in the middle, while a good strategy several years ago to bring the party back from the brink, is long past its expiry date. James' strategy has failed to evolve and she has failed to show herself to be a strong and inspiring leader, though probably a nice person to have tea and chat with.
===============================
Nice to have a backbone, alright, something anonymous posters so conspicuously lack. The "mushy middle", ... that phrase made famous ten years ago by Svend Robinson at an NDP convention where he blasted away like an Old Testament Prophet at Bill Blaikie and Alexa MacDonough.
Nice to have tea with? I don't picture you drinking a whole lot of tea, but whatever it is you drink, I sure as Hell don't want to be there.
Rod Smelser
East Van Observer
Oct 8, 2010 at 1:15pm
I wouldn't have you anyway, Rod, but you would likely comment on it just the same.
Earl Grey
RodSmelser
Oct 8, 2010 at 7:31pm
===>>> (Anon) East Van
You still don't have any backbone, do you?
Rod Smelser
Taxpayers R Us
Oct 9, 2010 at 5:56am
Wow - vitriol from the James camp via Rod Smelser. You sir are truly backing the wrong horse.
Scott Clark
Oct 9, 2010 at 10:28am
Thinking internal debate is always good for any party.
Just remember, the BC Liberals are so weak and politicians smell blood, they are aligning themselves as they see what will benefit them, this includes all those cockroaches, I mean consultants, who make their living off government.
I for one have no choice but to vote for the NDP, be it James or whomever.
For me the issues are more important then personal agendas of the elites within the NDP.
seth
Oct 10, 2010 at 9:19am
The issue for me is James is unelectable.
The BCLiberals could run anybody against her and win so awful is her media skills. A decent leader has debating skills, speaking ability, intelligence, as well as leadership ability. Carole James is bereft of all these qualities.
The recall campaign is coming up and to win the voter needs a reasonable alternative. Carole James is not it.
seth
sandra Hofmann
May 15, 2013 at 2:06pm
2013 carole james would have beat the socks of the liberal leadership this time around When you slite one of your own it will come back to bite you in the ass .A dirty campaine is not a good one as you lose the faith of many people in your own riding right christy But when your own turn on you the price is high . deception instead of truth will only fly for awhile eventually youll fall .you are all full of knowledge but sure lack wisdom to use it ,may God be your guide cause your nowhere without him bless you all you who where the banner of hypocrisy . sandra