The idea of a ‘party of the middle’ is problematic on two counts.  The NDP is hardly a leftist party anymore.  They are as much into supporting capitalism as socialism these days, which makes sense since both make up our pluralist society.  Supporting social programs, unionized and non-union workers, public health care, and public ownership of public services does not make them exclusively socialist. These policies are actually the foundation of a sustainable society, an impossible goal without reducing the gap between the rich and the poor.

Another party would also further split the vote, ensuring another win for the Liberals.  Most unfortunately, the Greens have already done that damage, whether or not they admit to that.  If everyone who voted Green in Campbell’s first election had voted NDP (not likely, of course, since Greens have conservative supporters as well) Campbell would never have been elected.  Nor would–I think it was–eight or so other Lib. MLA’s.  (That may have been federal numbers; if anyone has the details please let us know.)

We should be having this public discussion now, well in advance of the election, with the goal of uniting for our common interest.  Both the NDP and Greens claim a goal of sustainability.  We need to define that in terms of specific policies.