Longtime New Democrat talks of problems in the NDP that extend beyond Bob Simpson

Longtime New Democrat Fred Muzin isn’t just saying that NDP leader Carole James “over-reacted” in turfing Cariboo North MLA Bob Simpson.

Muzin, a former president of the Hospital Employees’ Union, also told the Straight in a telephone interview today (October 8) that James is “too controlled by a close circle” within the NDP.

Muzin, who now drives a bus for a living, didn’t say who comprises this group.

“She has to stand on her own,” Muzin said about James.

He also argued that the caucus of elected NDP MLAs is not listening to the concerns of the grassroots membership.

Muzin claimed that the party’s provincial council, which is composed of elected representatives from constituencies, is “totally ignored”, and also claimed that there are “a lot of frustrations” within the B.C. NDP.

Muzin left the council in May this year.

Comments

19 Comments

RodSmelser

Oct 8, 2010 at 1:02pm

I think I have been an NDPer at least as long as Fred Muzin, ... since 1968 to be exact.
Rod Smelser

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Camero409

Oct 8, 2010 at 2:10pm

The discontent has been brewing for a long time. My friends have been a pain in the rear about Carol James. I defended her and asked they give her a chance to establish herself. It's been a while now and the discontent grows and grows. Should it be left to fester until the next election? I think not. Deal with it now and if it means a new leader, so be it. Just don't be like the Fiberals and hide until the ship hits the bottom. Do it now!

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glen p robbins

Oct 8, 2010 at 2:12pm

This is becoming interesting, I recall in a most recent poll we conducted, Ms. James (decided) numbers had slipped to about (34-35%), while Campbell's were around (9-12%) - {he is sort of a moot point}.

Carole's undecideds were growing and her net numbers were about two-thirds of the party totals. That is too large a gap for the leader from the party.

We had mused in our commentary that Ms. James was getting bad advice.

I believe its important that the New Democrats look into this now. Campbell will never threaten them again, but the relief the whole province will feel when he goes (the usual for BC politics-when people stay too long AND they aren't liked) - will give the BC Liberals or other centre right party like the BC Conservatives - a major boost AS against a lacklustre James.

Ignite the NDP - not just their base -- but the hundreds of thousands of voters who have left the system because they don't believe in it any more.

There is a deep lack of confidence in the political system - Campbell is a definitive symbol of the problem - and certainly not the solution, and Carole James isn't representing the solution.

There are more than a few folks who think the solution might be Bill Vander Zalm, simply because he exhibited successful volunteer behaviour, while the others like Campbell and his friends are lining their wallets.

The mainstream press speaks poorly of Vander Zalm, but to those who reject him I would say -- you helped to create this political vacuum, this unhappiness among the electorate - you get what you deserve.

Mr. Simpson truly is just the messenger--don't shoot him--embrace him.

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Mike Lombardi

Oct 8, 2010 at 3:37pm

I fully support Carole's action in removing Bob Simpson from the caucus.This is about more than his comments about Carole's speech to the UBCM. From my observations,from the time that Carole became leader, Mr Simpson has consistenly questioned Carole's leadership and the policy directions of the BC NDP.

Carole's recent action is a powerful demonstration of her resolve to modernize the NDP and to develop a centrist platform that responds to the needs of citizens and our province.

Recently,I attended one of the BC NDP sponsored Our Province Our Future community forums that was facilated by an NDP MLA. I was inspired by the dialogue and depth and quality of the BC NDP Looking Forward document that was the foundation for the discussion.

For me, the forum was a powerful indicator that that the BC NDP is serious about engaging the community in a process that will help inform the development of an innovative and responsive party platform for the next election.

From my perspective,Carole's recent provincial education tour and the Our Province Our Future initiative are good examples of her genuine commitment to developing a dynamic and responsive policy agenda. Additionally, these initiatives are good indicators of her interest in transforming the culture of the BC NDP.

Ironically, these initiative are exactly what Mr Simpson seems to be calling for. Unfortunately, he does not seem interested in constructive dialgue.

At a time when the BC Liberals are under seige, all members of the BC NDP caucus and party leaders should be focused on developing a policy agenda that will move BC forward.

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glen p robbins

Oct 8, 2010 at 5:22pm

Mike L. -- I understand what you are saying, what choice did Carole have? But my response would be, if this issue with Bob Simpson has been festering this long, and "is about more than his comments about Carole's speech to the UBCM", this is likely more solid testimony of insufficient leadership.

A strong leader would not have been so passive aggressive - and taken action to deal with the problem.

If I had been in Carole's position, I would have said 'Bob, I like you, your a smart person and necessary for my team to be successful, but our enemy should not be within, it is in fact Gordon Campbell, and if you continue to undermine me, I will take to up to the top of the Hyatt and hang you upside down from your ankles and tape record you crying and whimpering like a baby - would you rather do that - or work out our differences for the good of the party and British Columbia?'

I do recall leaving a Coquitlam Chamber of Commerce lunch that Carole had spoken at some years ago -- I waited while others left and said a quick hello-- she was alone - I liked her - got a good feeling from her--but later when she was leaving I said to Van Rassel (the Dutch Death)-"Look at who is with Carole James getting into the car----five women -- she was surrounded by women at the Chamber and shes surrounded by women now -- think that will amount to anything?

Nothing wrong with the advice of women - but men vote too---look where the problems are coming from?

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Dave H

Oct 8, 2010 at 7:08pm

Just a thought. Could it be that Carole is choosing her own timing in launching an attack on her detractors within the NDP? In 2011, she will face a convention wherein her leadership could or will be called in to question.

If my assumption is correct then this is a shrewd move on her part. The NDP, according to polling, is riding high. It seems to me that there might not be a better time than now to settle NDP internal issues. Currently she is attempting to move the party to the center of the political spectrum in an attempt to capture the middle ground. The political pundits and some within the party accuse her of courting the business community to the detriment of the grass roots membership.

It is interesting to note that the majority of her detractors to date seem to be flowing from outside the larger metropolises. Could it be that the NDP is experiencing a philosophical divide between rural and urban interests?

If the NDP has thoughts of becoming a successful non-opposition party then it had better understand the need to bridge the relationship gulf currently enjoyed with the business community. For this Province to prosper we also need a climate wherein strong business investment is occurring. After having attended two of the events currently being employed to “bridge the gulf,” I am optimistic regarding the party’s chances. More hard work and understanding is needed in this endeavour so as to refute the reputation of being left wing socialist ideologues.

In essence, it is time for the party to mature into the political leader it can become. Ms. James is attempting to take it there. Mr. Simpson has made his choice and it was one of non-support for the current coach. As we say in sports...time for a trade. Others should take note and keep their comments for the closed-door meetings. In a year they will have their chance to knock the leader off.

If anything, Carole has proven one of her criticisms to be incorrect...she does have teeth. In my opinion it is about time she demonstrated a little Margaret Thatcher charisma.

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glen p robbins

Oct 8, 2010 at 11:30pm

Yea Dave - fair enough

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vic

Oct 9, 2010 at 12:31am

How can the NDP member base (people with the BC NDP card) be able to vote for a new leader, if the only way is to elect a delegate in the next convention?

And if the delegate says "I will vote for leadership review at the convention"

......

Carole will just boot the delegate out of the party.

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Bruno15

Oct 9, 2010 at 9:02am

@Dave H. Of course you are right in the identifying the friction that is caused by any party platform which recognizes the importance of private business interests in the economy. This is the rub with the hard line in the party, who want to perpetually stand on the side lines and spout socialist ideology, and the centrists who would actually like a shot at forming an effective government.

The bigger question seems to be 'can the party handle any leader who is of this view or will it always splinter'. It seems like the splintering is well under way for Ms. James.

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truthbetold

Oct 9, 2010 at 12:42pm

Entrenched, close-minded and egotistical managers hired by an insipid personnel department have to be replaced if the NDP is to survive.

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