Avi Lewis Pledges NDP Unity While Criticizing Mulcair's Leadership Legacy
In his final media appearance before the New Democratic Party announces its new leader on Sunday, frontrunner Avi Lewis has made a strong commitment to unify the party. However, he remains steadfast in his criticism of two moderate figures within the NDP, particularly former federal leader Thomas Mulcair.
Doubling Down on Mulcair Criticism
Lewis reinforced his previous comments about Mulcair, telling reporters that the former leader's decision to pivot the party to the right ahead of the 2015 federal election significantly set back the NDP's progress. "I think Tom Mulcair made a decision in the 2015 election that cost us a lot, and there's still a lot of hard feelings within the NDP about his tack to the right," Lewis stated on Saturday.
He specifically pointed to Mulcair's campaign promise to balance the federal budget in his first year as a critical error. "We all understood at the time that balancing the budget would mean eviscerating social spending," Lewis explained. "It was an irresponsible decision that cost us the election when we were on the verge of taking power."
Rejecting Mulcair's Advice
Lewis made it clear he has no intention of following Mulcair's suggestion to immediately run for a parliamentary seat if he wins the leadership. "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to say that I have no intention of taking advice from Thomas Mulcair," Lewis declared in a Friday interview. "I think that Mulcair started the process of our undoing as a party with a clear position on the progressive side of the spectrum."
On Saturday, Lewis reiterated this position, emphasizing that he and Mulcair represent "different kinds of NDP." Instead of focusing on Mulcair's perspective, Lewis said he is more interested in "unifying the party" and addressing internal operations and financial challenges.
Mulcair's Response and Historical Context
Mulcair, who became the first Quebecer to lead the NDP in 2012, responded sharply to Lewis's comments. "Back seat in what? Not in Parliament, Lewis doesn't want to run to get a front seat!" Mulcair told the National Post, questioning Lewis's position to marginalize moderates without holding a parliamentary seat himself.
Under Mulcair's leadership, the NDP lost 51 seats and its official opposition status in the 2015 election, followed by a failed leadership review in 2016. Lewis has stated that if he becomes leader, he will prioritize fixing the party's finances and internal operations rather than immediately seeking a parliamentary seat.
Internal Party Reactions
Other NDP leadership candidates have expressed different views on how to treat former leaders. Labour union leader Rob Ashton, who is also running for the leadership, emphasized the importance of respecting Mulcair's contributions. "Tom Mulcair was the leader of our party, and he was elected to be leader of our party. And I respect all the hard work he did fighting for New Democrats and for the working class of this country," Ashton stated.
As the NDP prepares to announce its new leader, the party faces significant questions about its direction and unity. Lewis's comments highlight ongoing tensions between progressive and moderate factions within the NDP, setting the stage for potential conflicts as the party moves forward under new leadership.
