Jenny Kwan says she will “wait and see” outcome of emergency NDP caucus session

Dissenting Vancouver MLA Jenny Kwan says she plans to participate in an upcoming emergency caucus session for B.C. New Democrats.

But the veteran provincial legislator would not say if she fears being disciplined for publicly releasing a blistering critique of Opposition party leader Carole James.

“I intend to participate in the meeting,” Kwan told the Straight today (December 3) by phone. “But as I say, I would like to see that it’s a meeting that is respectful.”

“I don’t know what’s going to happen at the meeting, so I’m not going to prejudge that meeting in terms of the outcome of that,” she added. “We just have to wait and see.”

At a news conference held yesterday to address the caucus infighting, James told reporters all NDP MLAs will be held accountable for their behaviour. The caucus meeting is reportedly set for Sunday afternoon in Vancouver.

Kwan, MLA for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant, is standing by a call for the NDP to quickly hold a party leadership convention based on one-member, one-vote.

You can follow Stephen Thomson on Twitter at twitter.com/thomsonstraight.

Comments

9 Comments

Strong New Democrat

Dec 3, 2010 at 3:03pm

It is too bad Ms Kwan didn't feel brave enough to tell the Delegates at the Provincial Council meeting the things she felt brave enough to put out in her press release. Ms Kwan has no credibility left as far as I am concerned.

As for comments calling her a party "icon" - give me a break! Unbelievable. This rubbish has to be coming from the BC Liberals

Heston

Dec 3, 2010 at 4:24pm

YOU MANIACS! YOU BLEW IT UP

RonS

Dec 3, 2010 at 4:28pm

As a frontliner in the HST, I heard more often than not that people are fed up with the LIbERalS but can't vote for the NDP because they don't think CJ is strong enough. I like CJ but I have to say, based on what I've heard, CJ can't win the next election. Until the NDP have a leader charismatic enough for the electorate, I believe what I've heard. I say this as a long time NDP supporter(sinde 1972). I will support them whether James leads or not but I want a leader that will destroy the LIbERalS.

Clive

Dec 3, 2010 at 4:38pm

Time for Barnacle Carole to go. We certainly don't want the BC Liberal Mafia family back in again but can't bring ourselves to vote NDP with Barnacle Carole at the helm. The NDP should have smoked Carole out after she lost the last election; better late than never though.

Bruno15

Dec 4, 2010 at 10:19am

We know you (you know who you are) all feel Carole should go.

But you never seem to opine on the principle at issue here. Also let us know whether you think the NDP constitution is broken and needs to be re-written more in line with the vision of the "dissidents" or it is democracy itself that you don't agree with. It has to be one or the other.

P

Dec 4, 2010 at 1:46pm

hey Bruno15 "silence those who would oppose freedom of speech" that is the issue here

Bilby

Dec 4, 2010 at 7:03pm

Yeah, well, good luck on Sunday, Jenny. I only hope everybody concerned has the wisdom to search for a compromise. Remember, the object is the greater good, not that the good are greater.

Bilby

Dec 4, 2010 at 7:08pm

Hey, P. This is not about freedom of speech, This is about the tyranny of the minority.

R U Kiddingme

Dec 4, 2010 at 9:46pm

Bruno15,
You and others have a point about how maybe this dissent should have been handled differently. I am not a party member although I did waste a few cheques on you guys a long time ago, so I am not at all knowledgeable about the NDP constitution and how leadership should be handled according to Hoyle.

That's not very important though, is it? I mean, if the result is that you expect people -- not me, I am one of those who grew up thinking that the NDP is cool, so you have me in the bag already; I'm talking about normal people who think you are all in the pocket of the unions and haven't been given the business case to vote for you -- to elect CJ, you sir are DELUSIONAL!!!