As for the Socialist Party of Ontario, it is a reformist groupuscule that is running two candidates in this election and presenting itself as an alternative to the labour-backed NDP. Last election, with the then support of SAlt, they ran five. They have tried to model themselves on Quebec's Quebec solidaire, the left-socialist formation which has won three seats in the National Assembly of that province, but they have very little chance of getting even 0.1% of the vote.
Socialist Action Canada is calling for a vote to the NDP, even as they criticise the leadership from the Left.
"On June 12, vote NDP. It remains a labour party, despite its present leadership and right wing populist campaign. Demand that the NDP fight for a Workers' Agenda, and strive to form a Workers' Government, in the interest of the vast majority of the people of Ontario.
"Join the Socialist Caucus. Together, let's turn the NDP sharply to the left." See click here
The Socialist Caucus itself, in which I as well as SA members are active, is working on several NDP campaigns in the Toronto area, and getting ready for what we see as an intense debate within the Party in the wake of this week's election. See www.ndpsocialists.ca/Ontario_Election_2014.html Horwath's leadership is almost certain to be challenged barring a real upset on the order of the Federal election of 2011 that propelled the federal Party to Official Opposition status " not very likely to happen.
In summary: I agree with Horwath's reasons for rejecting the Liberal budget, but the Party leadership has dictated a campaign to the Right, emphasising a balanced budget, dropping the idea of a Provincial pension plan, etc. The Party will be lucky to hold its own in this election, and will likely lose a few seats to the Liberals " Socialists in the Party must concentrate on rebuilding working-class confidence in the Party after this election, especially by advocating a working-class programme on which the Party can actually get elected by differentiating itself from the phony reformism of the Liberals. In the union movement, we must fight the tendency of the union leaderships to distance themselves from the Party rather than fight for the interests of their members.
The NDP is the only mass party of the working class north of the Rio Grande. The fight to build towards a socialist victory in North America runs through it, not around it -- socialists really must work within it or condemn themselves to sterile sectarianism.
NDP to power as a workers' government! It's not been a short battle, and it's getting longer, but it has to be fought.
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