In a terrible blow to the Canadian parliamentary left wing, Jack Layton has died. Readers may remember that in the federal election in May, the always cheerful Layton led the New Democratic Party to a historic high, at least temporarily sidelining the separatists in Quebec and almost destroying the federal Liberal party in most of the rest of Canada. Layton became Leader of the Opposition and would-be mentor to the somewhat ragtag band of under-forties and under-representeds who had been carried to Parliament in the Layton surge. During the summer, Layton was diagnosed with cancer for the second time, and had to take leave from his position. This morning, August 22nd 2011, the cancer caught up with him.
UPDATE I realized yesterday that my subtitle is ambiguous between [Canada] is left badly wounded and [Canada's left] is badly wounded. I meant the second when I wrote it, but gladly embrace the first.
Layton was elected leader of the NDP in 2003. At the time, he seemed fresh and appealing, but basically inept. He grew into his job marvellously, as demonstrated by his magnificent performance in the election earlier this year. He would have made a historically great Leader of the Opposition. It's even possible that by consolidating his position in Quebec, he would have unified the country and become a great Prime Minister. That dim hope has perished with the man.
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