OAKVILLE, ONT.—Whenever a new political party emerges in our democratic ecosystem, it’s basically like a biblical David, an underdog entering the electoral fray determined to slay Goliaths.
After all, just as David used his slingshot to overcome massive odds, newly formed political parties hope the power of their ideas can help them score unlikely victories against their more established rivals.
Indeed, this is likely the hope of billionaire and entrepreneur Elon Musk, who recently announced he is starting a new moderate, fiscally conservative party, called the America Party, which he hopes will compete in the next U.S. midterm elections and beyond.
As he put it on X/Twitter, “When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy. Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.”
And who knows, considering the agitated state of America’s current political environment, perhaps Musk’s new political party will make a difference.
In fact, many journalists and pundits think it is possible Musk’s party could draw voters away from the Republicans.
As Globe and Mail columnist Lawrence Martin recently put it, “It’s a long shot, but given the tightness of the race between Democrats and Republicans, even if the new party only gets a few percentage points in support, it could well have a major impact in the midterm elections next year.”
Yet, before anyone gets too excited about Musk’s party, it’s important to keep in mind that new political parties that achieve success typically do so only under certain conditions.
For instance, when a new party is formed to address regional grievances, it can sometimes punch above its weight.
Think of the Reform Party, which emerged in the late 1980s to promote the needs of Western Canada, or consider the Bloc Québécois, which pushes for Quebec sovereignty.
At other times, new parties can quickly gain traction if they champion the cause of a particular sector of the population that feels unrepresented or exploited.
The Labour Party in the United Kingdom, for example, was created in 1900 to represent Britain’s working class; here in Canada, the Canadian Co-operative Federation (later the New Democratic Party) was formed for a similar purpose.
On some occasions, new parties can work if they create an ideological niche for themselves.
The Green Party, for example, has branded itself first and foremost as champions for the environment.
My point is, Musk’s America Party lacks a regional base, it doesn’t represent a defined demographic group, and its ideology is vague.
All this works against him.
On the other hand, it should be noted that in the United States, new parties can sometimes make electoral waves if they become political vehicles for charismatic and powerful people.
Here are some noted examples:
- In 1912, after former president Theodore Roosevelt lost the Republican presidential nomination, he formed the Progressive Party (also known as the Bull Moose Party) and ran for president as its leader.
- In 1967, the American Independent Party nominated Alabama Governor George Wallace for US President.
- In 1995, American millionaire businessman Ross Perot created the Reform Party as a platform for his presidential run in 1996.
- In 2000, consumer advocate and activist Ralph Nader ran for President as the leader of the Green Party of the United States.
Certainly, the flamboyant and wealthy Musk possesses the larger-than-life personality needed to infuse a political party with energy.
But keep in mind, he was born in South Africa, meaning, according to the U.S. Constitution, he can’t run for president.
So, all things considered, the jury is out on whether Musk’s America Party will be an electoral David.
Gerry Nicholls is a communications consultant.
The Hill Times