Dan O’Connor Reflects On Ed Broadbent
By Dan O’Connor
For a generation of Canadians, Ed Broadbent was the person who defined the NDP. He was the federal NDP leader when the Baby Boomers became a major force in our society and economy, creating an indelible impression as the champion of ordinary Canadians.
Now forgotten is how he struggled to achieve political success and hang on to his leadership despite setbacks and internal opposition.
Coincidence placed me literally across the hall from Mr. Broadbent’s office on Parliament Hill in 1979. Ed had just gone through his first election as leader. His original staff had been replaced by tough political warriors with no patience for his intellectual interests. They insisted on a relentless focus, both in organization and in communication.
Every piece of party material was about JOBS. British Columbia was featured, including his first campaign poster showing a relaxed Ed Broadbent in a light beige suit standing in Stanley Park. And it was British Columbians who elected the new Members of Parliament that the NDP desperately needed, to prove it was still alive and relevant.
As the minority Conservative government of Joe Clark decided to govern as though it had a majority, Ed accepted the advice that an early election would open up opportunities for NDP growth in the West, at the cost of losing a few Ontario seats. He pulled the party’s diverse elements together in support of an unusually early defeat of the new government, rather than the usual path of keeping a minority government going in return for negotiated progress on NDP social priorities.
Ed Broadbent, former federal NDP leader for 14 years died this week, age 87. (Broadbent Institute).
It worked, thanks largely to the stubborn Conservative belief that their time had come, despite an unpopular gas tax increase. Ed won two consecutive election boosts for the NDP, in 1979 and again in 1980. A certain pattern was set. Ed recognized that he needed the very best organizers and campaign strategists for each election, but his real interest was creating industrial democracy as the foundation of a much fairer Canada.
Between elections, NDP support faded and media speculated that the party was going to die a natural death. Ed had to face down strong internal opposition but he showed exceptional determination and commitment to the principles that first led him into politics.
I saw that strength of will during the 1980 debate about repatriating the Constitution. I was chief of staff to Howard Pawley, the future premier of Manitoba. We tried to stay out of the constitutional battle since it wouldn’t win us a single vote, but Ed made it clear that people had to be with him or be considered opponents. He believed strongly in a charter of rights, women’s equality and constitutional protection of indigenous rights.
There is sweet justice in the tributes and warm memories about Ed Broadbent that are being shared this week. He rarely got such a response while he carved his path as the leader, and he also had some rough moments as a party elder. But his fundamental decency was much commented upon, and the fact he never gave up on causes like the elimination of child poverty, created a legacy and a reservoir of goodwill.
It has to be said also that the only political party that would let someone like Ed Broadbent lead it is the NDP. And with a rare exception, it is only the NDP that is willing to give a leader the time they need to learn, make an impression and show what they can do.
Media with a 24-hour cycle fuel the demand for instant results, instant success, and resignation of leaders whose first effort is deemed unsuccessful. Even the best political party leaders deal with dissatisfaction among 40 per cent or so of their party members and activists. You can always find someone to complain and that is often deemed to be good news.
Ed Broadbent was so ambitious for a better life for ordinary Canadians that he did not bow to the doom-sayers and internal opponents, and he achieved enough in each election and each year to keep him going.
Let us be thankful that Ed Broadbent never gave up.
Dan O’Connor is a long-time NDP stalwart, chief of staff to NS NDP leader Alexa McDonough and NS Premier Darrell Dexter. He was also chief of staff to Howard Pawley, the former premier of Manitoba.
Dan O’Connor joined me for coffee at the popular The Bread Lounge, in Halifax Northend on Feb. 2nd, 2023. O’Connor as NDP Darrell Dexter chief of staff had a great working relationship with John MacDonell, when the latter was chief of staff to Harper minister, Peter MacKay. (The Notebook).
