The NDP are in the process of voting for Jack Layton’s successor after a long leadership race that will shape the face and role of the Official Opposition.
Up until recently, there were 9 candidates who were staunchly in agreement leading to what was a boring race with emphasis on perceived front runners.
However, the race is now down to the second ballot and has started to get interesting as Thomas Mulcair and Nathan Cullen emerge with interesting stances. Thomas Mulcair has come under fire for his: to take the party to the center.
This move and trends showing him as a front runner has brought division to a party which has traditionally been left wing. This has led to the war between change and status quo, left and center. It has led to prominent NDPers, who back Brian Topp, to speak out against Mulcair. As the race continues, the NDP candidates may strategize as the left try to fight against Mulcair who wants to take the NDP to the center.
In the first round, Mulcair topped Brian Topp and three candidates, Niki Ashton, Paul Dewar and Martin Singh, dropped from the race.
The NDP has said that it will support the new leader with a wave of ads that will attempt to define him before the Conservatives do – taking advantage of observations of how the Liberals fell into the trap for a third time.
First Round Results
Thomas Mulcair: 30.3%
Brian Topp: 21.4%
Nathan Cullen: 16.4%
Peggy Nash: 12.8%
Paul Dewar: 7.5%
Martin Singh: 5.9%
Niki Ashton: 5.7%
Second Round Results
Thomas Mulcair: 38.3%
Brian Topp: 25.0%
Nathan Cullen: 19.9%
Peggy Nash: 16.8%
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