Which is it, Tom? Karl Marx or Margaret Thatcher? 

September 2, 2015

Mulcair touts NDP membership in “Socialist International”

OTTAWA – Known for saying whatever’s convenient – and different things in French and English – Thomas Mulcair has outdone himself, switching from a Thatcher-admirer in British Columbia to a proud socialist in Quebec. 

In B.C. two weeks ago, Mulcair defended, in English, his previous statements praising Margaret Thatcher’s right-wing economic policies:

JOURNALIST: “During your time as an MNA in the Liberal caucus in Quebec you were quite complimentarily toward the Thatcher government…”

MULCAIR: “There are certain things that work and others that don’t, and it’s not surprising that I’m in favour of the things that work… that hasn’t changed.”

(Thomas Mulcair, Surrey, BC, August 19, 2015)

Fast forward to Friday in Quebec, where Mulcair touted, in French, the NDP’s socialist credentials:

« Et je vais vous dire ceci: le NPD est un parti social-démocrate, membre du Socialiste International, et on en est très fier… »

(TRANSLATION: “Let me tell you this: the NDP is a social democratic party, a member of the Socialist International, and we’re very proud of that …”)

 (Thomas Mulcair, Montreal, QC, August 28, 2015)

Socialist International was founded on the “critical spirit of Marxism.”

Mulcair’s re-embrace of socialism comes after he wouldn’t use the “s” word in 2013 when asked why the NDP dropped of any reference to socialism in its constitution:

HOST: “You’re going to be releasing the vote of a motion to adapt some of the language in your constitution, specifically the word ‘socialist’… is the NDP no longer the socialist party in Canada?”

MULCAIR: “A lot of that wording dates from generations ago, and it was a reflection of its time and the battles that were being fought then. We will continue to be about removing inequalities in our society, but you will not, for example, hear  me describe us first and foremost using the word that we hope would be changed in the constitution.”

(CTV Question Period, April 14, 2013)

Of course, “[t]he problem with socialism”, as Margaret Thatcher famously said, “is that you eventually run out of other people’s money.”  

Is that why Mulcair currently owes almost $43,000 (£21,000) in outstanding membership fees to the Socialist International.

So which is it, Tom? Karl Marx or Margaret Thatcher?