The Pollcast: The future of the NDP and Tom Mulcair

The CBCPollcast, hosted by CBC poll analyst and ThreeHundredEight.com founder ric Grenier, explores the world of electoralpolitics,political polls and the trends they reveal.

Tom Mulcair will be fighting for his political life at this weekend's NDP convention in Edmonton. But the decisions the New Democrats have to make about the future of the party go beyond just who they want as leader.

• Podcasts: Subscribe to the CBCPollcast
• Aaron Wherry:Mulcair and the NDP try to figure out where to go next
• Interview: Tom Mulcair speaks with CBC chief correspondentPeter Mansbridge

It could be very close when the 1,500 or so delegates cast their ballots in NDP Leader Tom Mulcair's leadership review. Technically, Mulcair needs 50 per cent plus one to avoid a leadership election. Practically, he may need 70 per cent or more to avoid such a contest.

But the party will be debating other issues this weekend andin the years to come. How do the New Democrats position themselves against a Liberal Party trying to crowd them out on the left? Does the path to electoral success lie to the centre or to the left of the political spectrum for the NDP?

Is U.S. Democratic Presidential candidateBernie Sandersor UK Labour Party LeaderJeremy Corbynmodels for the NDP to emulate, orcautionary tales?

And what impact could electoral reform have on the NDP?

Joining host ric Grenier to discussthe future of the NDP is Ian Capstick, founding partner of Mediastyle and anNDP insider.

The CBC Election Pollcast21:28NDP convention: what's at stake for Tom Mulcair?

Eric looks ahead to the NDP's convention and leadership review with Ian Capstick, a panelist on CBC's Power & Politics.

Listen to the full discussion above or subscribe to The CBCPollcast and listen to past episodes.

You can follow ric Grenier and Ian Capstickon Twitter.