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Alternatively, the Liberals could wait until after the federal election and hope that an MP of some substance is culled by the voters. Leading a rebuilding party is not an appealing job, unless you happen to be unemployed. Former leader Kathleen Wynne could do the party a final service by resigning and creating a byelection opportunity for a new leader from outside the provincial caucus.

The NDP is in better shape, but it’s a long way from electability

Then there is the issue of what the Liberals stand for. Last year they ran on an NDP platform and were blown out of the water, so that’s out. There is room in the political centre but the Liberals’ recent history of profligate spending and social program expansion will make that a tough sell.

The NDP is in better shape, but it’s a long way from electability and the party’s post-election sag in the polls should be worrying.

Andrea Horwath has now fought and lost three elections. Earning official Opposition status in 2018 seems like something, but it came at a time of historic Liberal collapse. Horwath could have won last year’s election, but she failed. If the NDP ever sees itself as being in power, it will need a new leader and a consistent policy approach.

The former heir apparent was Jagmeet Singh, now failing spectacularly as leader of the federal NDP. If he was regarded as the provincial party’s brightest light, it tells one a lot about the luminosity of his former colleagues.

It’s difficult to say what the NDP believes in. In the 2014 election, the party ran a cautious campaign based on minor pocketbook issues. Last year, they desperately tried to best the Liberals’ scheme of unaffordable social programs and deficit spending. Where does the NDP go next?

In 2019, both the Liberals and NDP would be well advised to worry a bit less about Doug Ford and quite a bit more about getting their own parties back in form.

Randall Denley is an Ottawa political commentator and former Ontario PC candidate. Contact him at randalldenley1@gmail.com