Constituency Level Politics: A Case Study of The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation and New Democratic Party in Brantford, Ontario

Abstract

<p>This study analyzes the development of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation and the New Democratic Party in Brantford, Ontario from 1932-1975. Other scholarly work done on the C.C.F. - N.D.P. has tended to concentrate on general - federal, provincial - levels, rather than on the individual constituency level.</p> <p>The thesis argues that even though the Brantford C.C.F. proposed programmes embracing doctrinaire socialism, the Brantford N.D.P.'s policies have been overwhelmingly influenced by the managerial strategy of winning elections. The trend has been underlined with the advent of the Makarchuk Blackburn era (1965-1975) in Brantford wherein party fortunes began to rise. The thesis further argues that the C.C.F. - N.D.P. is unique in Brantford primarily because of its candidates, Mac Makarchuk and Derek Blackburn. By virtue of their backgrounds as middle class communicators, the Brantford N.D.P. has become more professionalized and subsequently more respectable and successful locally.</p> <p>In conclusion, it is argued that the chief difference between the Brantford C.C.F. and its counterpart, the N.D.P. has been a question of approach. When the C.C.F. sought to 'educate' the electorate through the use of doctrinaire platforms and labour candidates who preached rather than campaigned, the N.D.P. adopted the strategy of winning elections with middle class candidates and solid, issue-oriented election campaign.</p>