Split left wing won’t fly

Re: “Provincial New Democrats shut out dissident,” the Journal, April 24. I read with disappointment that respected labour historian and political organizer Alvin Finkel was formally denied membership by the Alberta NDP.

Finkel has given much of his time and energy helping to organize a significant but largely unserved and untapped political constituency — Albertans willing to put aside hyper-partisanship to creatively respond to the challenges and opportunities faced by the province.

The Alberta NDP’s decision to exclude Finkel will not stop progressive-minded Albertans from working together across partisan divides to build political capacity. How unfortunate the Alberta NDP chooses not to benefit or take part in this movement.

At no time has Finkel or the vast majority of his cohorts promoted the merger of political parties in Alberta or elimination of the NDP. Despite numerous similarities in the “left” political agenda, there remain significant differences.

Progressive Albertans would not want to see the polarized political reality of a two-party system like America’s. Distinct political parties can work together without losing themselves, as is evidenced in many countries around the world.

Democracy is strengthened by a diversity of voices and, despite glaring faults of our current political system, Alberta’s multi-party reality should not be thrown out with the bath water.

The NDP must ask who really benefits from a dogmatically divided left wing in Alberta.