On Saturday, 18 March, 2017, Hamilton, Ontario hosted an intriguing day-long discussion on alternatives to the waves of right-wing populism sweeping the world.
Organised by the Hamilton-Mountain NDP Riding Association, “Designing an Alternative: A Response to Right-Wing Populism” featured speakers and discussions with the audience. 11 IAM members and staff attended.
Six guests spoke on a range of topics, including “The Problem with Liberalism”, “Bernie Would Have Won”, “Environmental Inequality”, “ Socialism 101” as well as the IAM’s own Frank Saptel on “Labour and the NDP”.
“Labour is now mostly out of the picture although we were full partners in the founding of the New Democratic Party,” said Saptel. “Labour and the NDP have steered different courses in the last few years. It’s time to correct that and regain our political strength. We must join NDP riding associations, create policy true to our beliefs, and also run as candidates. Then we have to win government! That’s how we get back on track,” he concluded.
