In Canadian politics, especially at the Federal level, well functioning 'big tent' Parties (i.e. parties accommodating a range of elements and factions that, while sharing some common values and objectives, differ, sometimes significantly, on many issues of tone and substance) endure and often win while narrowly ideologically or culturally based Parties seldom win and often break up into separate pieces.  The Federal Liberals have learned this fact while the Conservatives and NDP have more difficulty on this score.

As an NDP supporter, I regret the difficulty of that Party (as amply witnessed yet again during last year's National Convention) living with this reality.

I caution my Federal Conservative Party friends (yes, I have a few) to learn from the recent mistakes of the NDP on this score.  The Conservative Party needs its traditional centrist and Red Tory supporters if it is to remain a top tier Federal contender and therefore it needs to accommodate their interests and values.