The NDP should have a singular focus for the short- and medium-term: finding a way back to official party status. Everything else can come later. In fact, everything else will only come later if the NDP is once again a party with at least 12 seats in the House of Commons. That official party status will unlock desperately needed funds for a starving party: more than $1.1-million, for example, for a party leader’s office budget. There’s another million and change for research. Money for technology, printing and travel. Plus dedicated spots on parliamentary committees, and daily questions during Question Period. A political party needs those things to get its message out, to fundraise, and to grow.
