Under The Table Cloth

Rather than debate the details of the NDP Interim Leader Nycole Turmel story, I think the potential political importance is more a macro-level consideration. There is a wider narrative developing, with each successive "tension" the idea that the NDP are playing footsie with sovereigntists cements itself. We can debate the merits of each pursuit, but there is now NO question that the NDP will be subjected to continued scrutiny, this theme won't disappear.

Let's keep it real here, the NDP have been actively courting the soft nationalist vote for years, noted here and elsewhere, this isn't a revelation, but part of a well thought out political strategy. Obviously successful, it is however a bit laughable to think increased stature doesn't result in a more substantive debate about what certain policy adaptions mean, what certain relationships say about the nature of appeal, fair questions, particularly for the Official Opposition. In fact, I would argue, there was a certain prior "free ride" flavour that didn't quite digest the consequence of political expediency and we are only now catching up.

Appointing an Interim Leader with past ties to separatist entities is a fairly major blunder, but not entirely surprising given consistent political motivations. Since the election, the NDP have shrewdly- in most regards- worked to solidify their Quebec support, ensuring their success has some permanence rather than a historical fad. It is this mentality that puts a rookie MP from Quebec in the top job, it's this idea of firming up Quebec that leads Layton and company to settle on her name. However, it is also this almost singular focus which fails to note a fairly obvious pitfall within the strategy. Again, not to debate the details that are frankly irrelevant, it's simply a bad move to have any association to the Bloc presented to English Canada. I doubt today's storyline has any consequence in Quebec, but Nycole Turmel represents an unnecessary self inflicted wound elsewhere, red flags self-evident. Apparently, the NDP's Quebec-first zeal has lead to amateurish consideration and provided openings for opponents. Should the rest of Canada start to see the NDP moving from its traditional base to a Quebec-first entity, real erosion could occur, of that emerging vulnerability I have no doubt. The NDP are feeding that potential liability here, this isn't a blame your attacker scenario, but a sober realization that you've failed to see an easily ascertained danger, and in so doing perpetuated a narrative that does you no favours.