I awoke to news that Jack Layton, chief of the National Democrat Party and Leader of the Opposition, died early this morning after a lengthy battle with cancer.
I truly feel that this man was Canada’s last and best hope for a cohesive, sensible, transparent, and just government. His victory at the last federal election, sweeping through Quebec and forever changing its political map, not to mention gaining the keys to Stornoway, shook many Canadians out of their political torpor.
Now, the party is in the hands of an interim leader, Nycole Turmel, whom I have never trusted. She will not be getting my vote for new leader of the NDP! I wish the reins had been handed over to someone else, perhaps Thomas Mulcair.
It will be strange to no longer get the orange emails from ‘Jack’, to not see that handsome and trustworthy face speak so eloquently and with such passion, to not have someone at the near-helm of this government that I believe actually truly gives a damn about the Canadian people.
Rest in peace, Jack, and may someone worthy of you pick up your fight.
I hadn’t heard. I am not NDP, but I did have high respect for the man and his integrity.
He will definitely leave a hole in the political landscape! A very sad day.
This is a huge loss for all Canadians! We have worked for and supported the NDP ever since we started to vote. Jack is the first leader I never personally knew but this still feels like I have lost a family member! Rest in peace Jack and thank you! With Jack we would have had the next Government! Without him we will have to work hard to get it.
BTW, Right now I am encouraging Libby Davis to run for leader but I am sure the field of candidates will broaden very quickly!
Have you ever had a chance to meet Jack? I had the privilege to do so once when I lived in the riding of Pontiac. Very brief, just hello and a shake of the hand.
He is one I didn’t meet, but my world was provincial.