Adrian Dix has taken the fall for the New Democratic Party鈥檚 defeat in the provincial election. Party members would be foolish to think their troubles will depart with him.
When Dix announced Wednesday that he would step down next year when the party elects a successor, he shouldered the blame for the NDP鈥檚 loss. He certainly is responsible for at least some of the mistakes 鈥� the sudden decision to oppose the Kinder Morgan pipeline project being the most obvious 鈥� but it鈥檚 one of those noble acts where everyone knows that one person is taking the hit for the errors of many.
Parties that have chafed for a long time in opposition have a frightening habit of turning on their leaders after electoral disappointments. Dix鈥檚 own party did it to Carole James in 2010. The federal Liberals have been doing it since Stephen Harper rose to ascendancy. The Progressive Conservatives were famous for it during their years in the wilderness.
Leaders are the face of their parties and must be accountable, but it is dangerous to lay every defeat at the feet of the leader. It suggests the leader alone is responsible for success or failure; 鈥渨e don鈥檛 have to change our policies, just our leader.鈥� It risks scaring off good candidates who recognize that political success can require years of work, self-examination and disappointment.
If party members hope to attract a leader who can propel them to victory, they must take a sincere and painful look at everyone鈥檚 responsibility. And then get behind a leader for the long haul.
