Liberal leadership race still on hold

The search for the next premier of Newfoundland and Labrador remains on hold until at least May 25.

In a release, the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador says the executive committee of the party will meet again on May 25 to review the decision on whether to proceed with the leadership race to replace Premier Dwight Ball.

Leadership candidate John Abbott issued a statement on Sunday relating to the race, calling for a continued suspension until the province enters Alert Level 3 of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

“What’s the rush? The current All-party leadership is doing a good job. Make no mistake. I want the job of premier. But we’re asking people to make a decision that could dictate the fate of our province,” wrote Abbott, in the May 10 release.

“We owe it to them to allow that decision to be made after getting something of their lives back. I asked the party on Friday – delay reopening the election until the province reaches Level 3. Life may be close enough to normal for people to give this election the attention it deserves.”

For issuing the statement, the Liberal Party says it has issued Abbott’s campaign a written reprimand for violating the media blackout set in the rules of the campaign suspension by the party.

“Premier Ball, (Health) Minister (Dr. John) Haggie, Dr. (Janice) Fitzgerald and the All-party Committee are to be commended for their continued efforts during this pandemic,” wrote Sarah Pinsent, co-chair of the Liberal leadership election.

“Protecting the public health of our province is of the utmost importance and it will continue to inform our decisions with respect to the suspension and leadership election as a whole."

Surgeon Andrew Furey is Abbott’s competitor in the leadership campaign.