The first leg of my Failure of Social Democracy tour was well attended and we intervened at the NDP debate. Now, can we pull off something similar at the party convention in Winnipeg?
At The Failure of Social Democracy: NDP militarism and imperialism tour out west last week turnouts in Victoria, Powell River and Kelowna were quite good while Surrey and Burnaby were decent for afternoon events. The discussions were generally dynamic and stimulating.
Alongside speaking to a couple hundred in person about NDP militarism and imperialism, tens of thousands have read my recent articles on the topic, including:
- To break with imperialism, NDP must break with Layton legacy
- Truth about NDP past can set party free for the future
- NDP supports Trump goal with claim it is anti-Trump
- Time for left to press Lewis for better anti-genocide positions
- Lewis proves better than some of his ‘left’ supporters
- Should you vote for Avi Lewis if you hate militarism?
- Time for leadership hopeful Lewis to state position on NATO
Largely based on information I published in my 2018 book Left, Right: Marching to the Beat of Imperial Canada, the articles have spurred significant debate. Many NDPers and left Avi supporters have melted down. One individual posted a bizarre meme titled “Doing politics the Engler way” that captured the frenzy. It notes, “For those who find it difficult to keep up with the daily flood of Yves Engler’s posts, I have created a quick guide for those who would like to apply his political approach to the issues of the day. You’re welcome!” They then list a dozen policy subject areas (“Canadian foreign policy & NATO”, “Climate crisis”, “Housing”, etc.) and say “The Engler Strategy” is in each case to “Attack the NDP.” The bizarre meme was even shared to an Independent Jewish Voices discussion group.
But our campaign has the most comprehensive platform of any of the NDP leadership campaigns. “Capitalism can’t be fixed: onwards to a socialist future” probably details more policy prescriptions than all five other campaigns combined!
Considering our many policy positions and my voluminous writing on Justin Trudeau, Stephen Harper, Lester Pearson, etc., “Doing politics the Engler way” represents an odd complaint. Additionally, the secret three-person NDP vetting committee blocked me and another candidate representing the platform from the race. Should we sing the NDP’s praises?
Our criticism/disruptions of NDP positions/events are morally sound.
To denounce the exclusion of our internationalist, ecosocialist, campaign eight of us sought to disrupt Thursday’s NDP leadership debate in Vancouver. While we failed to get in the room, a half dozen media outlets came out to cover our banging and chanting of “no democracy party” and “let members decide”. A Canadian Press wire story — picked up by dozens of English and French outlets — mentioned our protest against the exclusion as did the CBC and Radio Canada articles about the debate. A CP video and other clips shared to social media also touched on our call for Canada to withdraw from NATO and challenge the US empire.
Beyond the symbolism of the debate, the protests were justified. In attendance were National Director Lucy Watson and party President Mary Shortall, who led the vetting process, as well as members of the party’s “consultant class” such as the CEO of Stratcom Bob Penner.
After the disruption four of us attended a nearby NDP debate watch party. The reaction was telling. When we sought to join the NDP crowd who’d moved downstairs a couple staffers tried to block us. Easily bypassing them, we ended up conversing pleasantly with many people in attendance. An advisor to Tanille Johnston confirmed to me that our campaign is driving the discussion leftward while Tony McQuail and Tanille Johnston stated their opposition to our exclusion from the race. By the end of it, McQuail and others in his campaign sought me out for photos. While we are officially treated as outcasts, anyone with political sense understands that our actions are righteous and our ideas essential.
Could you imagine looking at the state of the world — from ecocide to wealth concentration, live steamed genocide to hyper militarism — but still believe we need more obedience, conformity or acceptance of the status quo?
We’ll be bringing our bold ideas and spirit of rebelliousness to the NDP convention at the end of next month in Winnipeg. It should be interesting.
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