Who should lead the federal NDP?

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair's job could be on the line when the party holds a policy convention in early April.

Several dozen prominent party supporters from Quebec have written an open letter calling for "renewal," and former leadership rival NikiAshton (a sitting MP) wouldn't answer directly about whether she would support Mulcair at the April 8-10 convention in Edmonton.

• Mulcair takes blame for failed campaign
• Riding president slams Mulcair
• How can Mulcair keep top job?

The NDPhas been carrying out a post-mortem in the aftermath of last fall's devastating finish in the election campaign, when the partydroppedto 44 seats inthe House of Commons from the previous 95.

Mulcairlaterwrote apersonal letter to supporters taking full responsibility for those results after a preliminary working group's report found the party'smessage failed to resonate.

The NDP's constitution calls for a secret ballot at next month's convention; if more than 50 per cent of the ballots call for newleadership, a vote must be held within a year.

Should Mulcair stay at the party's helm? If not, who should take his place?

Who should lead the federal NDP?

Readers gave us their suggestions in the latest CBC Forum a live, hosted discussion about topics of national interest.

(Please note that user names are not necessarily thenames of commenters. Some comments have been alteredto correct spelling andto conform to CBC style. Click on the user name to see the comment in the blog format.)

Some readers said Mulcair has earned the right to stay at the helm.

"I certainly had issues with the campaign what hard-nosed politico wouldn't but my support is still firmly behind Mulcair.The way I see it, no campaign or leader could have halted the Liberal sweep because the desire to heave Steve was so strong." Sarah Tiscott

Others said he needed to go ...

"Mulcair simply isn't credible. Sure, he put on a good show in question period, but when it came time to lead and put forward a real plan he choked. The assessment that 'you can't be Tommy Douglas on Stephen Harper's budget'was 100 per centcorrect, and Mulcair should have known that." Bob L

... and offered up some possible replacements.

Niki Ashton, NDP MP forChurchill-Keewatinook Aski:

"She can most clearly lay claim to the label of democratic socialist, has the infrastructure in place from a previous leadership run, and would be able to pull in new voters with her youth and charisma." Andrew Traynor

Nathan Cullen, NDP MP forSkeena-Bulkley Valley:

"Ran a great leadership campaign in 2012;excellent resume with House leader and finance critic under the belt;still an MP;might be able to strengthen NDP weakness in the west; andin general seems like a more pleasant person to work with in comparison to Mr. Mulcair." R

Elizabeth May, Green Party leader:

"I believe the best choice is to merge with the Green Party and put Elizabeth May in charge. She has the drive to win, she has the people's trustand would make a solid, progressive prime minister. I honestly don't see why her name isn't in the running." Philip from Hamilton

Joanne Liu, international president ofDoctors without Borders:

"Bilingual and articulate, brilliant and accomplished." SeanFordyce

You can read the complete discussion below.

Can't see the forum? Click here.