When in doubt, leave it out.

Posted by Joanna Smith, Ottawa Bureau

The New Democrat powers that be did something today that has left me gaping at my computer monitor with some combination of admiration and disbelief.

You may remember there was some controversy during the recent spring election when the CBC's Leslie MacKinnon tried and failed to find the NDP constitution.

Ahead of the NDP biennial policy convention in Vancouver in June, I reported that the party was getting ready to rid said constitution of references to "democratic socialism" in an attempt to update the language. While researching the story, I was able to finally get my hands on the most recent version of the constitution (2009), which you can read here.

The move did not go over smoothly in Vancouver, with a last-minute interjection from newly elected NDP president Brian Topp suggesting the matter be referred to the executive for retooling saving everyone from a divisive debate on the convention floor.

Now that the NDP is heading into a leadership race that will in part be governed by rules set out in that constitution, the party has finally decided to publish its constiution on the NDP website.

Those of you hoping to catch a glimpse of the original preamble (which has yet to be formally changed) will be disappointed, as it has been replaced by a conspicuous blank space.

There is an old saying in journalism used for when a reporter cannot confirm something ahead of the fast-approaching deadline: "When in doubt, leave it out."

It looks like the NDP just gave it a new meaning.

 

Comments

[cangar]

Sounds like their own constitution really has the NDP spooked. If it worries them this much, they should have changed it earlier.

Anyway the new proposed wording would move the NDP more in line with their election platforms - supporting capitalism with some social programs. Just like the CPC and Liberals and then it is more a matter of specific positions than overall philosophy that separates the parties.