Thursday, December 18, 2003

BROADBENT BACK IN POLITICS: GOOD FOR NDP, BAD FOR ME

The Toronto Star and Bourque are reporting that former NDP leader Ed Broadbent will announce a return to federal politics at a press conference set for 10:30 today.

I guess with Hon. Messrs. Jean Chetien and Joe Clark retiring Broadbent saw a vacuum of elder statesmen in the Commons.

The star article reports some commentators saying that this is a bad move for Broadbent. I don't think it is. I think the NDP is gaining momentum under Layton and that elder statesman comment was only half a joke. The combination of Layton leading the party backed up by Broadbent gives the party a great image. It shows that the party is vigorous and can change with the times while reminding people of its glory days and that they still have their basic principles. Broadbent supported Layton in the leadership race so they should be able to work well together. I think its a good move for Broadbent and the party.

However, it is not good for me on a personal level. I am, or was, enrolled to take a political theory seminar taught by Broadbent at McGill in the winter semester. The class is only open to fourth year's and is capped at 20 people. I woke up at 6:00 a.m. on the day of registration to get into the class. Now he's not teaching it. Arrg! First, it was going to be a great class, both for the content and simply for the celebrity professor. I was so looking forward to blogging all next semester on 'inside' Broadbent info. Imagine the posts:

"guess what Ed said in class today? Apparently he never really believed in socialism."

You know, fun stuff like that.

But, I suppose it's all for the greater good.

UPDATE, 01:04, 19/12/03: In the comments to this post Don cites a NewsWorld interview with Jack Layton that indicates Prof. Broadbent will continue to teach my political theory course this winter. I really just assumed that he would be too busy to still do it. But as Don says, the NDP is always looking out for the little guy.

Posted by Matthew @ 1:43 a.m.