Wotherspoon steps down, eyes NDP leadership
Interim leader changes his mind after saying he didn’t want the job
Trent Wotherspoon is stepping down from his job as interim NDP leader to consider running for the permanent leadership.
Previously, Wotherspoon has repeatedly said he had no interest in running for the permanent leadership, a position being chosen by party members in May 2018. On Tuesday he changed his tune. “I’d like to (resign) to allow me to give some consideration to running for leader. This is a decision that I don’t take lightly, and I think it’s only appropriate if I was to be giving some consideration here, and wanting to reach out, to step back from this role,” he said, adding it is a “different place and time for me and my family and our party.” On May 18, when the legislative session wrapped up, Wotherspoon said — after much prodding from reporters — that he would not be seeking the NDP leadership.
Asked about that statement on Tuesday, Wotherspoon stood by his previous comments. “I responded on the last day of session that I wasn’t running, and I wasn’t. And in fact, I’m not even making an announcement that I’m running here today,” he said, later adding that at the time, he “certainly was not planning to seek the leadership.”
Between now and then, Wotherspoon says he has had time to reflect and speak with people reaching out to him across the province.
“I recognize that in politics, our word matters, and I don’t take this lightly,” said Wotherspoon
He also said he has the support of some of his caucus colleagues. There are 11 NDP MLAs.
One of them, Ryan Meili, the MLA for Saskatoon-Meewasin, has already announced his intention to run for the leadership.
Meili has been dubbed the “next leader of the NDP” by the governing Sask. Party a number of times since he won a byelection in March. The Sask. Party has put in an effort to define Meili as a tick to the left of his NDP colleagues. Asked whether or not Meili’s leadership intentions weighed in on his decision, Wotherspoon said, “Not at all.”
Regina-Lakeview MLA Carla Beck is also considering a leadership run, but Wotherspoon’s likely announcement of his own leadership bid could prompt her to change her mind.
The NDP constitution does not stop an interim leader from running for the permanent leadership.
It is expected the NDP will select a new interim leader next week.
Wotherspoon, who is the ReginaRosemont MLA, has served in the interim position since April 2016, when he was selected for the job by the party’s provincial council to replace former leader Cam Broten. Broten lost his MLA seat in the provincial election and stepped down as leader shortly after. Polls have put the NDP in a nine per cent lead over the Sask. Party.