NDP officials failed to convince a majority of the 1,572 delegates to the June 17 - 19 Federal Convention in Vancouver, British Columbia to approve a shift to the right. Led by the high-profile Socialist Caucus, NDP leftists stopped cold a bid by the establishment to “sanitize” the party constitution by removing a reference to “democratic socialist principles” from its preamble.
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Socialist Caucus chair Barry Weisleder speaks at the recent NDP Convention in Vancouver against the resolution to change the pre-ample of the constitution, saying that socialism is a vital theoretical component of the NDP and the working class movement. Read full text below:
Socialism is not an anchor. It's a rocket! You can take the word socialism out of the preamble, but you can't take socialism out of the NDP.
In many ways, this is a peculiar debate. The Halifax convention in 2009 mandated a review of the Constitution preamble. So, how long did it take to formulate this proposed amendment? Why was the new wording circulated only on the eve of this convention?
How is “social democratic” a more modern expression than “socialist” given that the two terms co-existed in the nineteenth century?
The NDP belongs to the Socialist International. Does that mean the NDP will quit the S.I. if "socialism" remains in the name?
Is this motion really about modernism, or is it really about moderation of a diluted message?
And look at the timing. We are living in the most severe global capitalist crisis since the 1930s. Working people are in debt to an unprecedented extent. There's a food crisis, an environmental crisis, several wars of plunder and occupation in the name of profit. And now some genius wants to take socialism out of the Constitution? What would Tommy Douglas say? No, No, No, a thousand times No!
No change of wording can erase the socialist roots and the working class origins of the CCF-NDP. So then, what is the function of such a proposed change?
It is two-fold. It puts a distance between today's party and the generations of labour and socialist movement activists who fought scabs on picket lines, got arrested, shed blood in the battles for social justice, Medicare, democracy and peace.
The change would also send a signal to the Canadian establishment. It would say you can trust the NDP not to rock the boat of Canadian capitalism, not to challenge the system per se. Oh, the business media would still call the NDP “socialist” no matter what. But party leaders could publicly disavow the term. Worse, it would deprive the youth of a socialist education in the realities of the class struggle.
Sisters and brothers, now is not the time to dilute our principles. Now is not the time to send the wrong signal to young rebels and to millions of disaffected voters.
Let's keep socialism in the Constitution, and let's put it into practice, not only in Parliament, but on the picket lines, in the work place, and on the streets.
It is capitalism that has out-lived its usefulness. The future belongs to democratic socialism. Let's keep the red flag flying. Delegates, let's defeat this motion massively!”
Socialism is not an anchor. It's a rocket! You can take the word socialism out of the preamble, but you can't take socialism out of the NDP.
In many ways, this is a peculiar debate. The Halifax convention in 2009 mandated a review of the Constitution preamble. So, how long did it take to formulate this proposed amendment? Why was the new wording circulated only on the eve of this convention?
How is “social democratic” a more modern expression than “socialist” given that the two terms co-existed in the nineteenth century?
The NDP belongs to the Socialist International. Does that mean the NDP will quit the S.I. if "socialism" remains in the name?
Is this motion really about modernism, or is it really about moderation of a diluted message?
And look at the timing. We are living in the most severe global capitalist crisis since the 1930s. Working people are in debt to an unprecedented extent. There's a food crisis, an environmental crisis, several wars of plunder and occupation in the name of profit. And now some genius wants to take socialism out of the Constitution? What would Tommy Douglas say? No, No, No, a thousand times No!
No change of wording can erase the socialist roots and the working class origins of the CCF-NDP. So then, what is the function of such a proposed change?
It is two-fold. It puts a distance between today's party and the generations of labour and socialist movement activists who fought scabs on picket lines, got arrested, shed blood in the battles for social justice, Medicare, democracy and peace.
The change would also send a signal to the Canadian establishment. It would say you can trust the NDP not to rock the boat of Canadian capitalism, not to challenge the system per se. Oh, the business media would still call the NDP “socialist” no matter what. But party leaders could publicly disavow the term. Worse, it would deprive the youth of a socialist education in the realities of the class struggle.
Sisters and brothers, now is not the time to dilute our principles. Now is not the time to send the wrong signal to young rebels and to millions of disaffected voters.
Let's keep socialism in the Constitution, and let's put it into practice, not only in Parliament, but on the picket lines, in the work place, and on the streets.
It is capitalism that has out-lived its usefulness. The future belongs to democratic socialism. Let's keep the red flag flying. Delegates, let's defeat this motion massively!”
We all remember that wonderful night on May 2nd, when we saw our party launched into official opposition with over 100 seats. Yet at the victory party, TV viewers were spectacle to a sea of red and white maple leaf flags. Curiously absent were any Quebec flags with the Fleur de Lis, which even the English media in Quebec took note of. In response, SC Steering Committee member Hans Modlich wrote a letter to NDP Communications Director Brad Levigne to ask about the so-called "flag flap."
During the recent NDP Convention in Vancouver, Socialist Caucus chair Barry Weisleder participated in a CBC radio discussion with the two activists about the future direction of the NDP. Both Rebick and Weisleder stated that the NDP must democratize and re-connect with working people and progressive minded Canadians in the fight for economics justice and global peace.
Listen to the interview
Listen to the interview
Socialist Caucus Activist John Orrett Addresses the Issue of Public Ownership and Economic Democracy
The SC held several panels at the previous NDP Convention in Nova Scotia two years ago, all of which are located on the Socialist Caucus YouTube page. SC activist John Orrett discusses the recent financial collapse and how socialist solutions can help put our economy back on track
"Free market economics is the art of making the comfortable FEEL comfortable."
NDP Socialist Caucus. Copyright 2011. All Rights Reserved. info@ndpsocialists.ca
NDP Socialist Caucus. Copyright 2011. All Rights Reserved. info@ndpsocialists.ca
NDP Socialist Caucus To Decide on Candidate for NDP Federal Leader
The NDP Socialist Caucus hosted a conference on November 26, held in Toronto, to decide its position on the federal NDP leadership race.
The SC is concerned that some candidates for leader advocate a merger of the NDP with the big business-backed Liberal Party, and seek to steer the NDP on a policy course further to the right.
Read Conference Report
The NDP Socialist Caucus hosted a conference on November 26, held in Toronto, to decide its position on the federal NDP leadership race.
The SC is concerned that some candidates for leader advocate a merger of the NDP with the big business-backed Liberal Party, and seek to steer the NDP on a policy course further to the right.
Read Conference Report
NDP Socialist Caucus Holds Leadership Debate in Toronto on March 1
The Socialist Caucus has organized a debate with leadership candidates for March 1 at OISE in Toronto. The debate will begin with short opening statements from the candidates, followed by questions from the SC on issues such as public ownership, workers' control and economic democracy, ending Canada's role in NATO and support of the Israeli Apartheid state, protection of the environment, and democracy in the NDP.
After the formal questions, debate will be open to the audience. All are welcome to attend. We hope to see you there.
Date: March 1, 2012. 7 pm.
Place: OISE, Room 2-212/213,
U of Toronto, 252 Bloor St. West,
at the St. George subway station on the Bloor Street line.
After the formal questions, debate will be open to the audience. All are welcome to attend. We hope to see you there.
Date: March 1, 2012. 7 pm.
Place: OISE, Room 2-212/213,
U of Toronto, 252 Bloor St. West,
at the St. George subway station on the Bloor Street line.
