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Home > Spotlight > New Democratic Party Elects Jack Layton Leader |
New Democratic Party Elects Jack Layton Leader
On January 25, 2003, the New Democratic Party gathered in Toronto to select a new leader.
In a surprising first ballot victory, Toronto city councilor Jack Layton emerged to
win the election. In doing so, Mr. Layton achieved the largest landslide victory since
Tommy Douglas won the won the NDP leadership in 1961, and managed to defeat several
long serving NDP MPs like Bill Blaikie and Lorne Nystrom.
Many see Mr. Layton as the savior of the federal NDP. He is charismatic, well spoken,
thoughtful and photogenic. He is also not part of the traditional NDP elite and is not
associated with the party's recent slide. It is hoped that he will be able to use these
qualities to attract new supporters and electoral success to the party. However, Mr.
Layton is also facing a number of challenges, including his lack of experience, party
disunity, and the fact that he will lead the party from outside of Parliament.
This Spotlight will examine the election of and issues surrounding Mr. Layton. Specific
topics include:
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- An overview of the various rules and procedures in the NDP election process
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- A summary of the leadership selection results
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- Including who the candidates support; Broadbent’s support of Layton; attacks on
Layton by other candidates; and the technical problems that threatened voting
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- Jack Layton’s biography and campaign platform
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- An examination of several challenges facing Layton, including his lack of a seat
in the House of Commons, possible division in his caucus, and his lack of experience
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