JL - A Genuine Man of the Peoples

It took Jack Layton 8 years to take his party from political obscurity to becoming the official opposition. It was a political upset on the scale of the miracle on ice, or Buster Douglas beating Tyson in 90. It made a rather mundane election into one of the most historic of our time, and I still remember the energy and uneasy anxiety from all parties as the NDP began there swoop into power. As the poll numbers came out we all second guessed the results, and expected them to eventually correct themselves like an overvalued stock. But week after week it started to look more and more like an actual reality; the NDP was going to surpass their stronger, more popular older brother. Finally shedding the title of being a fringe party for so many decades, or if we continue the nuclear family metaphor, the weird little brother who was never allowed to play with the big boys.  It seemed as if the liberal party always had the psychological edge that all older brothers have. They kick their younger siblings ass for so long as kids, that even as they got older the younger brother can rarely take on the older. He might work out more, take MMA at the local gym, but the psychological edge always gave the older brother a deciding edge. And how sweet it must have been for Jack to finally kick some ass. With his genuine 'good guy' yet cool status, and the amount of ass kicking Jack did this past federal election, his initials 'JL' should have become his nickname, and he should have walked into the House to his own DX wrestling theme music.  "At 5,8 weighing in at 150 pounds, 6 year Toronto-Danforth MP, 8 year NDP leader, newly elected leader of the official opposition, J.L!!!" (break it down...tananananaaaa) And the MP's are going crazy!  Followed by Stephen Harper walking in to a course of boo's and 'you suck' chants. 

 Jack Layton will ultimately be remembered for being a man of the people. He was an absolute champion for progressive social causes, and unlike the majority of our politicians, he would not heed to any political pressure to change his beliefs. His first order of business as leader of the opposition provided a post election picture of the Jack that the average Canadian had come to love. The strong relationship with labour Unions was at the core of NDP values. Following the lead of their messiah, the NDP’s 58 hour overnight filibuster against the conservative governments back to work ruling for the Postal Workers Union was a prime example of Jack being Jack. I’m sure labour unions across the country breathed a sigh of relief. For a second they might have been worried, would Layton tweak his loyalties and beliefs to fit into what the Canadian political spectrum had come to see as normal? Of course not, Jake Layton was a genuine man of his word, stood steadfast in his beliefs, and labour in Canada now had a powerful friend in parliament. He was the wrestling equivalent of the 'good guy', and good guys never back stab or piss off their fans. 

Unlike Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who it seems has left the right pieces in place to fill his departure, the NDP is in serious danger of falling back into obscurity. Leaving a reign ‘short like leprachauns’. Other then say Nycole Turmel and Olivia Chowe it is hard to name anyone else of relevance in the NDP. Even the constituents of newly elected NDP ridings could not name you anyone of significance in the party other then the beloved Jack Layton. This became obvious when a MP with little French speaking skill was elected in a French speaking riding, or a 22 year old kid just out University was elected in another. The people obviously voted for strong leadership of the commander in chief, and could careless about the foot soldiers. At present behind the scenes party strategist Brian Topp seems like a front runner. He definitely has labour on his side, having worked for the Credit Union of Central Canada and now as the executive director of ACTRA (the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists). But it is all up in the air, and the political landscape seems wide open for Stephen Harper, and the liberal’s are salivating at their sudden chance at redemption. Canadian politics is definitely getting more interesting.

With his shakespearan esque death, passing away in his political prime and months after reaching the pinnacle of his career, it is hard not to think of what might have been. With his popularity showing no signs of slowing down, and a conservative party that was elected largely on the basis of ‘anybody but the liberals’ syndrome, Jack Layton could have very well have become PM. We have seen crazier things happen before.. I suppose for now, he will remain one of the best PM’s we never had. 

Thank you Mr. Layton, for showing all little brothers that one day we can escape that headlock and kick some ass too. 

R.I.P.