Layton was a likeable politician, good character

Whether you agreed with his politics or not, you have to give Jack Layton credit for the character and courage he showed in the final days of his life.

It was just under a month ago, he mustered his strength and hobbled into a news conference — a frail looking figure — to announce that he was taking a leave from his duties as Leader of the Opposition to deal with his cancer treatment.

As we all discovered Monday he was really saying, “this is the end folks, I am going home to die”.  He fought a hard battle both politically and personally. Even at his final news conference he maintained a positive and determined message, that he would beat this cancer, and he’d be back leading his party and the opposition, in order to keep those crooked Conservatives in line. He was a very likeable politician.

He firmly and bravely stood by his political principles right to the end. The irony is that he fought so hard to get to the No. 2 spot in Canadian politics and then cancer took him out. The brass ring was perhaps in many respects in sight, but grabbing it just wasn’t meant to be.

Whether you agreed with his politics or not, he was a great Canadian. He did what he thought was right. He will be missed.

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