NDP to debate losing 'socialist' label

CBC News - June 18, 2011
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/06/18/ndp-conventio...

New Democrats from across Canada have gathered in Vancouver for the party's 50th anniversary convention, where they'll debate whether to shed some history after capturing federal Official Opposition status.

Delegates will consider a proposed new preamble to the party constitution that would remove reference to the NDP as a "socialist" party, in an apparent bid to capitalize on the New Democrats' stunning performance in last month's election.

NDP Leader Jack Layton opened the convention Friday night by predicting the New Democrats are on their way to forming the next government of Canada and boasting of the NDP's highest seat count in its history.

"I just hope this stage is strong enough to hold this new huge caucus that we've got here," he joked, referring to the party's 103 MPs.

The New Democrats vaulted into Official Opposition status May 2, far eclipsing the Liberals, and now they're looking at how to attract even more voters.

On Saturday, there will be a dedicated workshop about the 2011 campaign and what the party learned from it. But while the mood is buoyant, there will be serious debate to set party policy ahead of the next election.

That means a debate over legalizing marijuana is nixed. Instead, resolutions on the environment, food security and public transit are set to go ahead, as well as one to expand the Canada Pension Plan.

Vancouver MP Libby Davies, the party's deputy leader, has said she expects a vigorous debate on the matter of removing the socialist label. But in an interview with CBC News on Saturday, Davies refused to tip her hand about the vote.

"I've got an open mind about it," she said. "I think what I'm going to do is look at this resolution as a whole and the preamble as a whole. I mean, a lot of folks, well, the media, [are] focused on this one word, but I think you look at the resolution as a whole."

While the party seeks to move into the political mainstream, it's still staying with its roots on the labour front. Canadian Labour Congress president Ken Georgetti on Saturday addressed MPs about the importance of the NDP and the role it plays with Canadian workers.