JOE BYRNE WINS P.E.I. NDP LEADERSHIP
Long-time NDP member Joe Byrne now leading the party
While he won’t be asking his questions inside the P.E.I. legislature, NDP leader Joe Byrne still plans to be a part of the debate.
The more than 20-year veteran with the Island NDP was elected to lead the party during a leadership convention at Murphy’s Community Centre on Saturday.
Byrne received 123 of the 215 votes cast.
“I’m still a little awestruck,” said an elated Byrne following the announcement, while also giving credit to fellow candidates Susan MacVittie and Margaret Andrade. “This is such a privilege, such a pleasure.”
Byrne’s next challenge is to get the party ready for a provincial election, which could come as early as this summer or fall after premier Wade MacLauchlan seemed to quash rumours earlier on Saturday that one would soon be called.
In the meantime, Byrne said he plans on travelling throughout the province to meet Islanders who are not NDP members, and setting up an election committee for the party.
Despite the party not having a sitting MLA, he also plans to have a presence at the legislature,
“To see what the debate is and to make sure that we’re responsive and right in there. I don’t get the chance to ask questions (during question period) but I don’t mind asking my questions publicly,” said Byrne, who also plans to engage Islanders through social media. “Without the seat in the house, I don’t get to be part of the debate. So I have to create alternatives to get engaged in that debate.”
The party, which has only elected an MLA to the P.E.I legislature once in its history, also brought in some high-profile
help for its leadership convention.
Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh took part in meet and greets during the convention and at Timothy’s World Coffee.
Byrne, who was the NDP’s federal candidate in Charlottetown
during the last two elections, was largely considered the front-runner going into the convention.
He gave credit to his fellow candidates, both of whom have said they plan on running for the NDP in the next provincial election.
“We pushed each other but we also supported each other, they’re really good candidates and they had a really good core base of support,” said Byrne. “The three of us were able to generate some interest in the NDP.”
NDP president Leah-Jane Hayward also congratulated Byrne and said the convention has helped reinvigorate the party and increased its membership.
“All three candidates were really strong and Joe will be an excellent leader,” said Hayward. “He’s been a social activist for many, many years. He’s really good at organizing and he’ll be good to get members to help out and move the party forward and be election-ready.”
Byrne replaces former leader Mike Redmond, who resigned last December.
Byrne ran his leadership campaign on issues such as income inequality, health-care access, affordable housing and other social justice topics.