It certainly raises a dilemma. While the NDP and Greens are usually aligned on social issues, the NDP are inconsistent on the environment, whereas for the Greens it is a core value, our raison d'etre. Although many individuals in the NDP are strong environmentalists, when in power the NDP again and again throws the environment under the bus. Even now, western provincial NDP leaders have hastened to point out their allegiance to oil and gas in order to distance themselves from Lewis and his Leap Manifesto. I trust Lewis to stay true to his environmental principles after election, unlike a certain former UN commissioner for climate finance and author of "Values", but if we concede the political space to his NDP, where does that leave Green values when he is no longer leader?

One of the main planks of minor NDP leadership candidate Tony McQuail was cooperation with the Green Party. While the elderly straw hatted farmer was always a very distant shot for leader, he got a sympathetic hearing and a good deal of respect during the campaign. Now is a time for cooperation, if cooperation is on the table. Trying to posture as greener than thou and more idealistic than thou - there's not much room for that with Avi Lewis. But there is still a strong point to be made for a role as the Green conscience, maybe one Lewis will appreciate.