Crosbies back in politics
Ches Crosbie wins PC leadership; family again seeks political power in Newfoundland and Labrador
The Crosbie family has long had its hands in the history of Newfoundland and Labrador.
In 1918, John Chalker Crosbie was prime minister of Newfoundland for five days, serving as caretaker after the resignation of Edward Morris. It was the first time the Crosbie family got a taste of power.
In 1948, Ches Crosbie Sr. argued that Newfoundland and Labrador’s best option was not responsible government, nor Confederation. He argued the best option was union with the United States. While his bid was unsuccessful, he sat at the table that negotiated the Terms of Union with Canada, but was ultimately dissatisfied with the result.
His son, John C. Crosbie, is arguably the most accomplished politician this province has ever known. He came close to being premier, battling with Joey Smallwood in 1969, but it wasn’t to be. He went on to be a provincial and federal cabinet minister. He came close to the federal Progressive Conservative leadership in 1983, but ultimately lost to Brian Mulroney.
Now, Ches Crosbie, a 64-yearold lawyer from St. John’s, is perhaps the family’s best chance to win one of the only political achievements the family has yet to claim: the premiership of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Crosbie became the leader of the Progressive Conservative party on Saturday night, just after 6 p.m. Crosbie defeated Tony Wakeham in a result perhaps narrower than Crosbie supporters anticipated: of a possible 4,000 points available in the leadership vote, Crosbie won 2,298.92 while Wakeham won 1,701.08.
“Welcome to the start of the general election of 2019,” Crosbie said to a room of roughly 400 PC party members, all chanting his name at the Delta Hotel in St. John’s.
“Since 2001, all leaders of the PC party have served as premier. A habit I hope will continue next year.”
Crosbie must now turn to rebuilding the PC party, starting with building district associations and fundraising a war chest big enough to topple Dwight Ball’s Liberal government, which took the PCS from 28 seats to seven in 2015.
“I’m obviously disappointed that I didn’t win, but I’m very happy for the party. I think you’ve seen a united party coming out of this convention, with a direction that we are ready to take on the Liberals and take back government,” Wakeham said moments after the results were announced.
Wakeham, a former CEO of Labrador-grenfell Health, says he will be on the ballot in 2019, it’s just a matter of where.
“Politics is hard. It’s hard work. It makes me appreciate the work that goes into becoming a politician in this province,” he said.
A celebration for Crosbie, a disappointment for Wakeham and a fond farewell to Paul Davis were on the schedule for Saturday’s leadership convention.
Davis, the 12th premier of the province, will remain in the House of Assembly through the end of the current sitting, but a decision will have to be made about whether he’ll stay into 2019.
Saturday’s convention had no shortage to thank yous for Davis, with a morning brunch dedicated to his career in politics.
“I even talked to the party a couple weeks ago about not doing this at all,” Davis laughed.
“It’s somewhat uncomfortable to be in my position. I’m so thankful to the people I’ve had around me over the last number of years.”
Davis will be back to work on Monday, as leader of the Opposition.
Crosbie says he’ll also be at the House on Monday, sitting in the gallery.
Crosbie will look down on Premier Dwight Ball, sitting in the main chair in the Newfoundland and Labrador legislature the Crosbie family has yet to fill.