 The NDP held a nationally televised debate between the nominees for the leadership on 17 November 2010.On 29 November 2010, Wells was elected the first leader of the National Development Party at the party's first convention.In 2011, however, he was one of several NDP members who defected to the Progressive Liberal Party, following a schism in the party as the new Democratic National Alliance began drawing away some of the NDP's support.