The media has been discussing a coalition between the Federal Liberal Party and the NDP hinting that secret discussions have been taking place at a senior level about a merger of the two parties.

The decline in the fortunes of the Liberal Party has accelerated to the point that the only remedy, as far as some sections of the party are concerned, is a merger with the NDP.

Little wonder that there is factional infighting, the Liberals face a bleak future. A recent poll put them at 25% an historic low for a party that was once the natural party of capital, they have never been in such a weak position.

The reason for their demise is the economic crisis as it polarizes society into left and right camps with the Liberals in the increasingly isolated center.

The future of the Canadian Liberal party can be observed on the other side of the Atlantic, in Britain, where their Liberal Democrat colleagues are, in coalition, eagerly assisting their Tory masters in the destruction of any vestige of civilized life for working people.

When the NDP leadership chose to enter a coalition with the Liberals on the last occasion they threw away a great opportunity. Then, as now, it was the Liberals who needed the NDP.

What did the NDP receive in return? No concessions to the NDP program, six cabinet positions (along with the individuals themselves) to be selected by the Liberals and a massive decline in NDP support, a vote for the NDP had become a vote for the Liberal party.

NDP members and trade union supporters must campaign against any kind of collaboration with the Liberals, also for the democratic right to decide the direction that our party takes.

To secure the support of the electorate the NDP requires the fortitude to lead the fight against cutbacks, privatizations, job losses, wage cuts, attacks on public services and living conditions. It is imperative that the NDP campaign on a socialist program.

Keith Norman Wyatt

Innisfail NDP

Innisfail