NDP Rebranding, Liberals be Afraid, be Very Afraid

The NDP is considering a name change. Normally name changes are part of a broader rebranding effort. It's the current political context that's making this move particularly important.

As discussed here before, with a consolidated right, and a longstanding party to its left, the Liberals are in a bit of a pinch. It's been awhile since we've actually heard a coherent comprehensive policy come out of the Liberal camp (the green shift was a one issue wonder, not even close to a full platform required from a national party) principally because the Liberals have nowhere to go without risking some of its base. Scare mongering about conservatives taking away Canada as we know it, combined with the position that they were simply the rightful power holders, the natural governing party, was the "policy" before the green shift. In other words, no policy at all.

Iggy has continued on with the policy avoidance, content instead to follow the headlines and hurl critiques from the sidelines. What we are left with is one party on the right, one party on the left, and one party blowing in the wind. The party on the left has room to grow, but capturing the moniker of being THE party of the left will require some serious effort and some serious politicking. The starting point is shedding its old image and rebranding.

It has begun. Liberals should be afraid. They should be very afraid.