B.C. NDP Leadership

Moe Sihota downplays buzz about possible B.C. NDP executive shakeup

by Stephen Thomson on January 4th, 2011 at 5:40 PM
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      Moe Sihota has expressed little worry about how a gender-equality rule could change who sits on the B.C. New Democratic Party executive.

      The NDP constitution says both genders must be represented in the top-three roles of party leader, president and treasurer.

      Two men already fill the roles of president and treasurer—Sihota and Bob Smits, respectively.

      Meanwhile, Carole James has announced she will be resigning as party leader, setting the stage for a leadership vote on April 17.

      Recent media reports have raised questions about whether Sihota or Smits will be forced to leave their executive position if the next party leader is a man.

      But Sihota questioned the amount attention news outlets have paid to the constitutional provision.

      “I’m surprised it’s a story,” the party president told the Straight. “From our point of view we’ve known about this for quite some time. We’re obviously probably more versed in the constitution than the average person.”

      Sihota expressed support for the gender-equality clause, adding his goal is to ensure compliance with the party’s constitution.

      “At the end of the day, everybody’s got a job to do, to try to get you into a position where you can win an election,” he said. “I think Bob [Smits] understands that and I understand that.”

      “We’ve both been around long enough where ego’s not a variable. We’ll sort it out.”

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

      Comments

      9 Comments

      tim.

      Jan 4, 2011 at 7:45pm

      and i think you'll understand that, for the sake of the party, you, moe sihota, will resign.

      Dani

      Jan 5, 2011 at 2:12pm

      Yes, resign!

      ANTITIM

      Jan 5, 2011 at 2:25pm

      Moe Sihota for NDP LEADER!!!!!

      Moe Party

      Jan 5, 2011 at 2:26pm

      Moe Sihota for BC premier

      Donna

      Jan 5, 2011 at 3:42pm

      The pendulum sure swung from one extreme to the other! I thought I was reading the two old coots on The Muppets!
      Why not - do the job you're doing, Moe? We in our realm think you're doing it well.

      Jamie

      Jan 6, 2011 at 2:02pm

      I love how a person is potentially losing their job SOLELY because of their gender, and the NDP thinks that this somehow furthers our collective human rights. If a male is elected leader, whoever is let go should file a massive lawsuit with the BC Human Rights Commission. Cases like these are exactly what that institution was created for... not censoring opinion journalism.

      cuz

      Jan 6, 2011 at 8:31pm

      NDP NOW DEAD PARTY. I have read two instances in the past month where party members said the role of members was to shut up and support the party line. Wow, I bet a lot of constructive things get decided then.