Tom Mulcair shuffles senior staff ahead of election

Federal NDPLeader Thomas Mulcair has announced sweeping changes to his senior political staff as the party prepares for the next election.

The house-cleaning comes in the face of opinion surveys that show the NDP has failed to capitalize on the historic 2011 breakthrough that saw them lead the Official Opposition for the first time. Those same polls suggest thatJustin Trudeau's Liberals have become the alternative to the governing Conservatives in the minds of most voters despite the Grits' dismal third-place finish after the last election.

Mulcairtold caucus about the changes at a dinner Wednesday night.

• Canadians like him, but will they vote for TomMulcair?

CBC News has learned Mulcair's chief of staff, Raoul Gebert, is leaving.Multiple sources confirm heisbringing in Alain Gaul as his new right hand man. Gaul was previouslythe chief of staff to Mulcair when he was environment minister inQuebec City.

Gebertwill continue to be an adviser for the party, primarily in Quebec.

Brad Lavigne is also returning to the fold in an advisory role ascampaign adviser. Lavigne was previously Jack Layton's principalsecretary and is credited with being a critical part of the NDPs 2011breakthrough.

His return represents a significant reversal for both Lavigne and Mulcair their relationship was strained after Layton's death and the bitter leadership contest that followed.

Mulcair's principal secretary, Karl Blanger, will remain in his position providingthe leader with strategic advice.

The changes come as the NDP is struggling to get ahead in the polls.While Mulcair is often lauded for his performance in the House ofCommons, that success in the cut-and-thrust of Parliament has failed to trigger increased support among the public.

The failure has led to some grumbling among New Democrats. That malaise was brought home with sobering reality after the defection of former caucus chairGlenn Thibeault, who recently left to run for the Ontario provincial Liberals.

Other well known NDP veterans like Libby Davies and Yvon Godin havechosen not to run in the next election.

The turmoil and stalled political success has fostered a sense of frustration within the party as it struggles to maintain party morale and unity.