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After an overwhelming defeat, the NPD must regain its “soul”, believe neo-democrats

Charlie Angus, a former neo-democratic deputy from a constituency in northern Ontario, deplores the campaign style of his party, too focused on the leader, according to him.

Mr. Angus believes that the party has lost the pulse of a large number of supporters who preferred to give their support to the conservatives.

The one who was for more than 20 years deputy for Timmins-Baie James judges that defeat was catastrophic.

According to him, the organizers tried too much to sell chef Jagmeet Singh. They were too little concerned with promoting the politicians advocated by the party.

Charlie Angus.

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Charlie Angus was deputy for Timmins – baie James under the Banner of the NPD since 2004. (Archives photo)

Photo : The Canadian Press / Sean Kilpatrick

It is really dangerous to tell us that we were simply the victims of a strategic vote, that it was in tune with the times, that we couldn’t do anything about itunderlines Mr. Angus.

We have ceased to be the new democratic party of Canada for some time already. We have become a movement that emphasizes its leader.

A quote from Charlie Angus, former Ontarian neo-democratic deputy

He adds that the party had nothing to offer when the country must face its worst economic and political crisis in human being. We had nothing to offer because we wanted to sell a chef, his friendly personality and his style.

Loss of workers’ support

The conservatives received several support from local unions. They obtained the vote of a large number of workers. THE NPD has lost all its deputies from the manufacturing cities of Ontario.

He only has seven elected officials, he who counted 24 in the dissolution of the House of Commons.

Beaten by a liberal in the elections on Monday, the former deputy for Hamilton-Center, Matthew Green, says that the race has quickly been reduced to two parties. It became impossible for the NPD to unravel in these circumstances.

Green, who intends to represent himself in the next elections, argues that voters have gone into panic mode and supported the liberals because of the trade war imposed by the United States and the threats of President Donald Trump against Canadian sovereignty. Our mission is to restore the soul and true identity of our partyhe argues.

Matthew Green, neo-democratic deputy for Hamilton-Center

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Matthew Green, former neo-democratic deputy for Hamilton-Center. (Archives photo)

Photo: Image drawn from the records of the House of Commons

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Not a new trend

Jordan Leichnitz, a former neo-democratic strategist, also believes that a large number of unionized unionized people preferred to support the conservatives.

This is not really a new trend. This is the case for a number of yearsshe launches speaking of the working class which is put under the banner of the right-wing parts on an international scale. It will be important that the party is looking at how it will have to try to restore contact with these voters.

The name of the former deputy Nathan Cullen already circulates as a possible successor to Jagmeet Singh, even if he says he does not think about it for the moment. According to him, it is obvious that the party must make its voice heard beyond the union leaders and to speak directly to the workers.

Jagmeet Singh is visibly disappointed and lowers his gaze after his stinging defeat.

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NPD chief Jagmeet Singh announced his resignation after arriving third in his constituency of Burnaby-Est. (Archives photo)

Photo : Ben Nelms/CBC

It is a tension that has existed within the party since I involved it. She manifested herself very severely given the circumstances of the elections. It is a support that we can regain.

Emmett MacFarlane, a political science professor from the University of Waterloo, says that the conservative chief Pierre Hairy has succeeded in the basic work of a good politician by getting along with the workers.

Mr. Hairyvre really made efforts to establish this relationshiphe says, adding that the conservative base has included a workers’ faction for several years.

He points out that the union members better disposed to the conservatives usually work in sectors directly threatened by the trade war imposed by the United States. Several of them had the feeling of being ignored by the liberal government.

The neo-democratic deputy, Nathan Cullen.

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The neo-democratic deputy, Nathan Cullen, is expected for the race for the NPD chiefdom. (Archives photo)

Photo: Canadian press / Adrian Wyld

The professor says that Mr. Hairy’s skill to be heard of voters about the cost of living allowed him to increase his supports among the union members.

The next chef will have a lot to do to rebuild the party, dependent on the political environment and the issues to comedit M. Macfarlane.

I don’t think the NPD has lost its historical base permanently, but it will have to demonstrate that it can still be a solid political force.

A quote from Emmett MacFarlane, professor of political science at the University of Waterloo

The tiny new caucus of NPD met Thursday and Friday. The party’s advice and executive must meet at the start of next week. In consultation with the deputies, they will appoint a new interim chief and will prepare the next race for management.

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