Auditioning to Become the Leader of the Opposition

Just as the BC Liberals are doing, the NDP is now beginning the difficult task of selecting a new leader. While no candidates have openly announced their intentions, unlike in the Fiberals case, we have yet to hear any New Democrat openly drool for Carole's job. So who's looking into leading the second largest party into the next election?

Adrian Dix MLA for Vancouver - Kingsway since 2005, former Chief of Staff to the Premier from 1996 to 1999, Shadow Minister of Health Services. As the critic for one the largest ministries in the government, Dix is well known among the party for defending our most sacred creation, universal health care from Liberal privatization. His constituency appears to be behind him, but I have yet to hear any support for him from outside Vancouver.

Mike Farnworth MLA for Port Coquitlam since 2005, MLA for Port Coquitlam-Burke Mountain from 1991 to 2001, Opposition House Leader, and Minister of Housing from 1997 to 1998. Mike is a good person to have on your side of the house during Question Period, somehow between the screaming and hollering of it, he is always the one to bring down the hammer. In an Ipsos Reid poll, he also appeared to have a strong lead in support among BC NDP members.

Rob Fleming MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake since 2009, MLA for Victoria-Hillside from 2005 to 2009, Shadow Minister of Environment. Rob is like the Liberals Kevin Falcon, he is young and charismatic, and could do quite well in a leadership race.

John Horgan MLA for Juan de Fuca since 2009, MLA for Malahat-Juan de Fuca from 2005 to 2009, Shadow Minister of Energy. Mr. Horgan is a well respected MLA among Liberals, New Democrats and Greens. His constituents-first style of leadership would be especially beneficial during a time of internal division such as this.

Leonard Krog MLA for Nanaimo since 2005, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum from 1991 to 1996, BC NDP leadership contender in 2003, Opposition critic for the Attorney General. Leonard didn't do too badly in the 2003 leadership convention, and that may just give him the encouragement to get involved again.

Bruce Ralston MLA for Surrey-Whalley since 2005, Shadow Minister of Finance. Bruce has become a house hold name as one of the first after Carole speaks to question the Liberals reasoning behind the HST.

Honestly, the NDP would be in good hands with any of these MLAs at the helm. Unfortunately, a new leader won't likely be selected until the spring of 2011, so the anticipation will have to hold for now. The new leader will have to quickly reunite the party if we hope to win the next election, which could easily be called early by the next Premier.