Victoria parliamentarian Denise Savoie wants to take the "new" out of the New Democratic Party of Canada's name as part of an effort to broaden its vision and base. In an exclusive interview with Public Eye on Sunday, Ms. Savoie she has been contemplating such a change for some time. But the tipping point came after hearing Saanich-Gulf Islands Conservative parliamentarian Gary Lunn repeatedly refer to the Harper administration as Canada's New Government.
"When I would hear him talk about the New Government I would just shudder for him. I would be embarrassed for him. And so I can't feel that way and think about our name - the New Democratic Party. I think it's not so new anymore. So there's that parallel that I would want to erase completely."
But that's not the only reason Ms. Savoie wants to rename the party. "If a name change were supported by the membership then that might lead to refreshing, rethinking directions - perhaps broadening the tent in terms of what we stand for," making the party more welcoming to both environmentalist and working people.
"To me - a democratic movement - that acts in the public interest would be able to bring together those two movements" to fight poverty by fighting climate change - an idea expressed in environmental advocate Van Jones's bestselling book The Green Collar Economy.
"And I think, by saying the NDP, it ties us a little more to the past than the future" with the "New" part detracting from the "Democrat" part "which is by far more important because there is such a democratic deficit in federal politics, in the media and in society as a whole."
Ms. Savoie confirmed her riding association is considering a motion calling on the party to change its name to the Democratic Party of Canada. If approved by the association, she expects the motion will be debated at the party's upcoming convention in Halifax, scheduled to take place between August 14 and 16.
I think this makes a lot of sense as a political buff.
As a BCLib, I'm kind of nervous at this New Era of leftist politics.
Denise is my MP. She is very sharp and works tirelessly for her riding. She was recently appointed as a Assistant house speaker. Locally she has convinced the Federal Minister to get involved in the discussion of a large marina somebody is trying to set up in the Victoria Inner harbour. Many locals are against it, but big money often speaks loudly. She is a big supporter of public input, something many MP's don't see too keen on. So she brings things up and it's up to folks to keep the ball rolling
Nothing short of a Vulcan mind-meld will change the reactionary mind-set of the New Democratic Party. It's "new" ideas - such as medicare and employment insurance - were stolen and implemented by the Federal Liberal Party way back in the 1960's.
In recent years, the primary role of the NDP has been to defend the social democratic status quo, even when the status quo was in bad need of an update.
Whether we call it the NDP or the DP, it will remain the same negative, destructive and depressing party we have come to know and fear.
Absolutely.
Anachronisms suck and so do acronyms.
As much as I admire Denise Savoie, I disagree with her on the need for the NDP to change its name. The name "New Democratic Party" was chosen in 1961 at the party's founding convention because it was feared that the more logical name, Social Democratic Party, would be an invitation to red-baiting. The term "New Party," having been in use in the period leading up to the founding convention, served as a convenient substitute. In any case, it was always clear from a reading of the party's programme, and of the early introductory leaflets written by Desmond Morton, that social democracy was the party's guiding ideology.
While the origins of the party's name are long forgotten, "NDP" has become a well-established political brand in Canada. The party should think long and hard before jettisoning that identity and risking the loss of associated goodwill.