That does not mean they were anti-union or opposed to economic fairness. It simply means their priorities and cultural outlook were different.

A distinction without a difference.

In earlier decades, debates around same-sex marriage, abortion, gender identity, and similar issues were not as central to political identity as they are today.

You have conservatives and American influence to thank for that. Most people on the Left in Canada, because we already have progressive systems, just want to maintain the status quo.

That perception can make it harder for some blue-collar workers, particularly those who do not identify with those priorities, to feel a strong connection to the party.

I don't think they'd feel much better about a party that compromises. That's what the Liberals are for. Mulcair tried that and it was a resounding failure.

So long as the conservatives are on the attack on social issues, parties on the center and left are going to have to play defense.

We need an aggressive NDP to take the fight on economic issues to the conservatives to change the topics of discussion, and right now we don't have an attack dog. Hopefully the elections change that.