Jack Layton's Legacy

The passing of Jack Layton united Canada in grief today.  People who would never have considered voting for him (such as myself) were equally moved by his story and his words.

I first heard of Jack Layton 20 years ago when he was running for Mayor of Toronto.  He lost to June Rowlands.  He also had unsuccessful runs for a seat in Parliament twice before finally meeting.  It took a long time and a lot of losing campaigns before he became an overnight success.

During the mayoral campaign, Layton came across like an angry young man berating a kind old lady.  In the recent federal election, he was a very different man.  Gone was the simmering anger.  He spoke plainly in a way that voters could understand him.

One of the ironic things about the last election is that Harper campaigned against the three other parties as being in bed with separatists.  How ironic that Harper did not slay the separatist dragon but one of the men supposedly in bed with Gilles Duceppe decimated the Bloc's Ottawa headcount to a number that could be counted on one hand not including the thumb.

Jack Layton greatest legacy lies in Quebec.  Many Canadians outside of Quebec had Jack Layton's sunny demeanour and working class french to thank for sparing us the sight of separatists in Ottawa rising to ask questions during question period.  The last election was a great result for Canadian Federalism and Jack Layton was the key driving force behind Quebec's change in direction.

Since that is his greatest legacy, it is also the area in which his legacy can be most easily squandered.  Layton's successor must find a way to hold on to Official Opposition status at the very least in the next election.  If he/she does not, then the last election result will be seen as a fluke result that will not be repeated.  If that happens, then Layton's legacy will be squandered.

It will be very difficult for the NDP to do anywhere near as well as they did in 2011.  Jack Layton's presence will so dominate that his successor will pale in comparison.  A new leader from Quebec runs a high level of risk of alienating NDP voters in english Canada.  Some candidates such as, Thomas Mulcair are simply too unstable to appeal to many people in or out of Quebec.

The NDP is not my party and I have never voted for the NDP.  However as a Canadian, I fervently hope that the NDP can carry on Layton's legacy.  It was Jack Layton's presence as leader that eliminated the travesty known as the Bloc Quebecois.  All Canadians should be greatful and hope that the NDP will continue to block the Bloc from a resurgence.

A strong and durable NDP will be the ultimate tribute to Jack Layton.  RIP Jack!