I think the NDP has the effect of pulling the Liberal Party (who are fairly centrist, though left of centre) to the left. The more seats they have, the more effective they are.
Jack Layton's NDP (RIP) was the height of their influence in modern times, but at other moments the NDP have been truly revolutionary (Tommy Douglas).
There’s always the possibility that the conservatives will win a majority due to vote splitting, so the threat of the NDP forcing an election gives them leverage to influence policy.
My feeling is they have been a bit effective on this, eg pharmacare which I doubt would be actually progressing without the NDP.
The alternative in a FPTP system is they merge to stop vote splitting but that will shift the Overton window right. Look at the US if you want to see what that might eventually look like.
Vote splitting is frustrating and I wish the NDP would wield their influence better but it's preferable to the alternative.
A big factor limiting the NDP is money in politics. They often aren't in a position to force an election because they don't have as much money as the other two parties.
I think the NDP has the effect of pulling the Liberal Party (who are fairly centrist, though left of centre) to the left. The more seats they have, the more effective they are.
Jack Layton's NDP (RIP) was the height of their influence in modern times, but at other moments the NDP have been truly revolutionary (Tommy Douglas).
There’s always the possibility that the conservatives will win a majority due to vote splitting, so the threat of the NDP forcing an election gives them leverage to influence policy.
My feeling is they have been a bit effective on this, eg pharmacare which I doubt would be actually progressing without the NDP.
The alternative in a FPTP system is they merge to stop vote splitting but that will shift the Overton window right. Look at the US if you want to see what that might eventually look like.
Vote splitting is frustrating and I wish the NDP would wield their influence better but it's preferable to the alternative.
A big factor limiting the NDP is money in politics. They often aren't in a position to force an election because they don't have as much money as the other two parties.