Right, Left and Centre: The Politics of Some Canadians: Chapter 36, Part Two by Dave Jaffe

       A True Believer: by Dave Jaffe. Part Two.


    Matt Hodge ran for a provincial nomination in 1972. He hoped to be a Member of the Legislative Assembly in the upcoming provincial lection. Alas for him, he was defeated in the nomination contest. He became a little embittered when he lost and the N.D.P. went on to win the B.C. election and the riding in which he lost the nomination. He never ran for office again. Yet he remained a loyal New Democrat, even though sometimes an unhappy member of the N.D.P. Dave Barrett., whom Hodge never liked, was now the provincial premier. And the man who beat Hodge in the nomination battle was great friend of Barrett's.
   Hodge was a handsome man who found male and female lovers in the New Democratic Party. "He was bisexual," one of his friends said. "He went both ways in love and had both men and women partners."
     After quite a few affairs, Hodge settled down with a lady we'll call Caroline. Hodge had no time for people who were not firmly committed to the New Democratic Party. He also loathed people who wouldn't join him in the feuds and factions that sometimes racked the N.D.P. "You're a slippery slimy political operative," he told one man who backed out from  supporting Hodge's candidate in a fierce nomination battle. "I'd never trust you at all."
    Hodge liked a drink or two. His fondness for whisky and beer probably cut a few years off his life.  He died with Caroline at this side in about 2015. He left the N.D.P. five times over policy matters. Yet he always re-joined the party. He died as he lived: A true believer in the New Democratic Party.