Malcomson

So Canadians are finally getting to turn the page on Jack Layton. Late March will see a by-election held in his old riding to determine his successor. In a constituency where Jack’s personality far exceeded his national party’s standing in the polls, this could all change if the NDP don’t run a candidate that has similar stellar qualities. I am interested to see who the heir-apparent will be in Toronto-Danforth, because it has as much to say about the party’s fortunes going forward as Jack Layton’s memory looking back over the last year or so! Voters can be a fickle lot who are not always sentimental when it comes to voting for a replacement. If this is the case, the NDP should make every effort to field a star candidate. A loss here would definitely sully the memory of Jack and detract from their national leadership contest.