NDP ARE STYLING

Is there any reason why Ontario voters shouldn’t take new NDP leader Marit Styles seriously?

Styles was installed as the party’s latest leader this weekend after previous leader Andrea Horwath stepped down following the latest provincial election that saw the party lose some of its share of the overall vote to the Liberals. Styles, a Toronto MPP, took the leadership when no other candidates stood against her.

Styles has an impressive resume, and was the education critic prior to Horwath moving on to become mayor of Hamilton. By all accounts, she has all the necessary attributes to be party leader, but as well, to be premier

The Liberals appear to be moribund, themselves in the process of finding a new leader, a process that so far has been short on sizzle, or fizzle, or whatever it is that makes Liberal leadership races exciting.

And the Tories, under Premier Doug Ford, appear to be cruising along without any real opposition to keep them in check.

Styles has three years before the next election, and will no doubt put that time to good use. She’s a fresh face that seems to have the chops to go up against Ford and Whomever but also has a golden touch when meeting voters. It remains to be seen how successful she’ll be in growing her brand and that of her party, but the same holds true for the other parties as well.

Ontario last elected an NDP government back in 1990 when Bob Rae won the big chair. Perhaps it’s time to consider such a choice again.

With respect to Marit Styles, no doubt you’ll be hearing about her, and from her, in the months ahead.