Political Parties and Prodigal Sons

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Manitoba NDP leader Wab Kinew. Photo Credit: online pic.

Manitoba, a Canadian province is gearing up for its election in October. Major political parties have started volleys against each other. A comment from the NDP about Pride Day this weekend made me wonder if parties ever try new paint on walls and also do stocktaking on why membership is dwindling.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) challenged the ruling Progressive Conservative Party (PC)  to march in the parade. The NDP’s support for gay voters is well established, but such a challenge forgets one thing. The two parties are as different as night and day. The PC will not take up that challenge because there is no guarantee that people who will march in the parade, will vote NDP.  Parades are full of chameleons. The PC also know that their core voters do not support the gay cause, especially the current controversy about doctors using the knife of boys to make them girls.

Instead of taunting the Conservative Party caucus to march on Pride Day, the NDP should pinpoint why it lost some members to PC and why immigrants who have been around long enough to vote, choose PC. This introspection is a must because the NDP has governed Manitoba before, since it was created in 1961.

Manitoba conservatives are very buoyant right now because of Alberta. Danielle Smith and her United Conservative Party are back in government because they won the provincial election.

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.

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