Jack Layton’s legacy

Editorial

It is a cruel twist of history and fate that Jack Layton, who brought his movement to the greatest heights it has ever reached, should be taken by cancer so shortly after this astounding achievement. He will go down in history for many things, not solely the political victory he achieved in May.

During the last Liberal government, Layton negotiated a package with then-prime minister Paul Martin that attained more of his party’s goals than possibly any opposition figure ever before him. Against Prime Minister Stephen Harper, it is Layton who will be remembered best for providing passionate opposition – not the succession of Liberals who held the title of Official Opposition Leader. This is one reason why Canadians rewarded Layton with more than 100 seats in the last election. This, as well as the appeal of his personality, optimism and sharp wit. The outpouring of sadness this week shows that people connected with Layton, whether they voted for him or not, and our sense of loss is genuine.

Had Layton returned to the House, as promised, next month, he would have been a formidable Opposition Leader. Instead, we have a strong government and three opposition parties without permanent leaders. The New Democrats must now select someone to replace Layton. The Liberals, with their smallest parliamentary numbers in history, currently are being shepherded by Bob Rae. The four Bloc Quebecois members who survived the election are leaderless and the Green party is Elizabeth May. This is not a healthy situation for our democracy.

In his party, Layton was a powerful glue holding together a broad swath of political views. While there is much about which New Democrats agree, obviously, there are issues upon which disagreement is not only present but potentially explosive.

Layton knew this very well. It accounts for his choice of Nycole Turmel as his temporary replacement. Normally, a leader would select their deputy in the event of inability to serve. Layton had two deputies from which to choose: Libby Davies, the leading voice in Parliament against Israel, and Thomas Mulcair, perhaps the party’s most prominent voice in support of Israel. A year ago, these two deputies had a very public spat, after Davies attended an anti-Israel rally where she appeared to deny the right of Israel to exist, saying the “occupation” began in 1948.

To his credit, Layton managed to keep a lid on the pro- and anti-Israel forces in his party. If a candidate with a particularly strong connection to either of these camps runs for leader, Israel could be a litmus test of sorts for NDPers.

Never before has an NDP convention had the honor of selecting a leader of the opposition. Building on Layton’s legacy, while keeping the divisive dangers at bay, is a challenge for a very special replacement. Hopefully, Layton’s political skill and populist charisma will be a model for his successor.

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