Mike Harcourt Quits NDP

[DonLever]

From the Globe and Mail:

Mr. Harcourt told The Globe and Mail this week that he had quit the NDP.

I just decided its time for me to become an independent, Mr. Harcourt said Monday, explaining he has allowed his membership to lapse. He held the leadership from 1991 to 1996, and was the second NDP premier in B.C. history, after David Barrett in the 1970s. I dont know whether its a trial separation or a decree absolute.

In a rare rebuke from an ex-premier to his party, Mr. Harcourt cited several grievances, but pointed to the astonishingly stupid decision of leader Adrian Dix in mid campaign last spring to change position on a proposed expansion of a Kinder-Morgan pipeline between Alberta and the Lower Mainland.

Mr. Dix said he would oppose the expansion after saying he would wait until an application for approval was filed to take a position.

On Tuesday, Mr. Dix suggested that Mr. Harcourt had been supportive of his positions leading to the May, 2013 election the NDP lost to the B.C. Liberals, who won a fourth straight majority under Christy Clark.

“I understand that people are going to want to make criticisms. And he should contribute. I’m delighted he wants to take part in the debate and I’m hoping that soon he’ll come back to the NDP and have his voice heard.”

Mr. Harcourt’s comments come as the NDP is in the midst of a race to pick a successor to Mr. Dix. New Democrats are to pick the party’s next leader in four days of voting ending Sept. 28

[Warhippy]

Good. Honestly the fewer of the proverbial old guard from the 90's that are left in the party the better it will be when a new election hits.

[J529]

This speaks to state of NDP and what mess it is.

[DonLever]

Good. Honestly the fewer of the proverbial old guard from the 90's that are left in the party the better it will be when a new election hits.

But Mike Farmworth, the leading contender for the NDP, is from the 1990's. He is likely to win so we are left with the old guard again.

[Warhippy]

But Mike Farmworth, the leading contender for the NDP, is from the 1990's. He is likely to win so we are left with the old guard again.

He was completely in the middle of nowhere in regards to the issues that plagued the party in the late 90's. Not even in the room so to speak. They'd have to work damned hard to find dirt on him

[J529]

But Mike Farmworth, the leading contender for the NDP, is from the 1990's. He is likely to win so we are left with the old guard again.

Huge mistake to have him as new leader. He would be upgrade as he doesn't have the history of Dix, but anyone would be upgrade over Adrian.

John Hogan is be the best choice to lead. He's fresh, well-spoken and doesn't have baggage. Worked in the background for NDP in 90's but that can't be seriously considered or seen as the same as being apart of the government.

I wish David Eby would have run for the leadership.

[J529]

He was completely in the middle of nowhere in regards to the issues that plagued the party in the late 90's. Not even in the room so to speak. They'd have to work damned hard to find dirt on him

Still doesn't change fact that he was part of NDP goverment in 90's and Liberals would be sure to remind us all of that. He obviously doesn't have baggage like Dix.

[J529]

Harcourt really opened up on NDP and Dix too also stating the NDP doesn't have the right to govern. I'm sure there are others within the party who no doubt feel the same way.

[J529]

Harcourt really praises Horgan for when he was staffer back in 90's for NDP.

He also referred to Dix flip flop on Kinder Morgan as "dumbest decision in decades"

[Miss Korea Bob.Loblaw]

Why is he quitting on a party that's about to have a new leader? If his beef is with Adrian Dix, I'd think now is the weirdest time to leave the party.

.... Just how broken is the NDP....?

[YaK]

Why is he quitting on a party that's about to have a new leader? If his beef is with Adrian Dix, I'd think now is the weirdest time to leave the party.

.... Just how broken is the NDP....?

"straw that broke the camel's back" were the words he used - his disillusionment goes much deeper than Dix. As someone left of center on most issues it is tough to see the NDP losing its way.

[nucklehead]

 

Good. Honestly the fewer of the proverbial old guard from the 90's that are left in the party the better it will be when a new election hits.

Yeah, Harcourt, that's the problem. Old guard Old shmard. The entire organization is an anachronism clinging to outdated ideologies that have lost their relevance. They need to get real and see and hear the people for who they really are and want they really want. See the post below yours for and accurate summary of todays events.

[DonLever]

From the Vancouver Sun:

His point being the one he disputed before the votes were cast last year namely, that the flip-flip, being premature, sent the wrong message to resource-dependent communities.

Vancouver is an important part of the province but most communities, about 150 of them, survive on natural resources, and if you say, You cant log, you cant mine, you cant drill wells for gas or ranch, youre ignoring 95 per cent of B.C.

Further justifying the decision to allow his party membership to lapse last year, Harcourt listed other failings, from the NDP opposition to the carbon tax in the 2009 election to the brutal takedown of leader Carole James in 2010.

Of course, Harcourt is not the only one revising the opinions expressed on the eve of election 2013. As a quick check of the files would show, many others me included thought the odds favoured an NDP victory.

Nor, for all the anger expressed by the former leader, did he suggest that the breach with his former party is permanent.

I dont know whether its a trial separation or a decree absolute, he told reporter Bailey, then laid out factors that might lead to a reconciliation: A capable leader, with a vision that resonates with me and British Columbians, and a good talent pool to form a government and a cabinet. Until I see those three things in place, I am going to be an independent, sustainability democrat.

Point taken: witness the response to Harcourt from the two candidates to succeed Dix. The comments are nothing that many New Democrats havent voiced since the election, comments that I myself have said, Mike Farnworth told reporters. If were to win power in 2017, we have to have an economic vision for the province that people have confidence in and that means bridging that urban-rural divide, particularly on resource development issues.

The message it sends to me is that I have a lot of work to do, said John Horgan. I have a lot of work to do to convince Mike Harcourt and other New Democrats and all British Columbians that theres a better way for us to proceed (with) a balanced approach to the economy and the environment.

Sounds as if both can envision a day before the next election when having met Harcourts preconditions, theyll be able to welcome him back to the fold.

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Vaughn+Palmer+Mike+Harcourt+abandons+shocking+many+party/9688006/story.html#ixzz2xi1CWimL

[J529]

Listening to Farnworth talk and he sounds exactly like Dix. He's asked questions and just side steps them and won't answer.

Horgan should be the new leader but knowing NDP and the last couple of terrible leaders they elected James and Dix, they will elect Farnsworth.

Harcourt and i'm sure others within NDP could follow suit and rip up their memberships which begs the question about starting and forming a new party which isn't left or right and no unions or special interest groups involved.

.