To: NDP Leadership
Real Leaders, Not Fundraisers: Demand a Race that Strengthens the Party
Remove entry fees and evaluating candidates on their ability to fundraise. Lowering the expense limit to only cover basic fees of attending NDP conventions while prioritizing member votes as the metric for success based on quality ideas, vision for a better future, with the ability to connect to NDP members and earn their votes.
The NDP can be the source to share a leaders ideas and vision with the members allowing member to keep their wallets in their pockets and decide this leadership race with their votes.
The NDP can be the source to share a leaders ideas and vision with the members allowing member to keep their wallets in their pockets and decide this leadership race with their votes.
Why is this important?
The recent article in the globe and mail indicated that members of the NDP leadership are looking to require $150,000 entry fee and $1.5 million spending limit for the upcoming NDP leadership race. This would require prospective NDP leaders to spend their time extracting more money from NDP members. There is no evidence this will improve the quality of the leader chosen or provide real value to NDP members. It will significantly narrow the field of prospects to choose from.
When a leadership race is centered on earning votes rather than fundraising, the focus shifts to the quality of ideas, vision, and genuine connection with the public. When fundraising ability becomes the main metric, candidates are often judged by their access to wealth and influential networks rather than their competence or responsiveness to the needs of everyday citizens. This approach risks sidelining talented leaders who might not have the same financial backing but possess the moral authority, innovative thinking, and grassroots appeal necessary to drive meaningful change. Choosing leaders based on votes ensures that the race reflects the true will of the people, emphasizing policy substance and community trust over the sway of dollars.
When a leadership race is centered on earning votes rather than fundraising, the focus shifts to the quality of ideas, vision, and genuine connection with the public. When fundraising ability becomes the main metric, candidates are often judged by their access to wealth and influential networks rather than their competence or responsiveness to the needs of everyday citizens. This approach risks sidelining talented leaders who might not have the same financial backing but possess the moral authority, innovative thinking, and grassroots appeal necessary to drive meaningful change. Choosing leaders based on votes ensures that the race reflects the true will of the people, emphasizing policy substance and community trust over the sway of dollars.
Furthermore, making the leadership race about vote-earning rather than fundraising reinforces the democratic principles upon which the NDP is founded. A campaign that prioritizes genuine voter support over financial prowess helps purge the undue influence of big-money interests, paving the way for a leadership that is more attuned to the concerns and aspirations of its members. This approach not only elevates honest, effective leadership but also restores public confidence in a process that should be a contest of ideas and commitment to progress. It positions the party to better serve its constituents, signaling a renewed dedication to meaningful change over monetary influence.
I propose an alternative: using centralized, party-funded platforms to drive our fundraising efforts. Rather than evaluating candidates solely on their individual fundraising prowess, we can assess their ability to mobilize and manage our party’s resources. This model levels the playing field, encouraging broader participation, especially from candidates who may not have deep pre-existing donor networks, while ensuring that any surplus funds are retained within the party for future needs.
I propose an alternative: using centralized, party-funded platforms to drive our fundraising efforts. Rather than evaluating candidates solely on their individual fundraising prowess, we can assess their ability to mobilize and manage our party’s resources. This model levels the playing field, encouraging broader participation, especially from candidates who may not have deep pre-existing donor networks, while ensuring that any surplus funds are retained within the party for future needs.
By transforming the leadership race into a collective fundraising event, we not only simplify the financial landscape but also strengthen our party's unity and resource base. This change would allow us to focus on finding the best leader to deliver results while optimizing our financial resources for long-term success.
Stand for a NDP leader who can win hearts, not wallets - Sign now to ensure our NDP leadership race is defined by earned votes—not by the power of fundraising!