Mulcair avoids early ouster as NDP leader
MONTREAL • Tom Mulcair will continue on as NDP leader until a successor is chosen, MPs confirmed at their caucus meeting.
With all of the party’s MPs standing behind him, Mulcair said he was humbled by their unanimous support for his continued leadership.
The decision came after speculation swirled over the past few days over whether an attempted coup would take place in a Montreal hotel conference room.
MPs confirmed there was a discussion over Mulcair’s leadership but no formal vote. Alexandre Boulerice, who recently opted out of the NDP leadership race, said people were “on their feet” by the end of the discussion, indicating unanimity.
“We are a united, unified caucus,” said Charlie Angus, who had been cagey about expressing specific support for Mulcair before the meeting. “I want to thank Tom. It was an extraordinary meeting and a respectful meeting. Hey, we’re family. We talked (frankly) to each other and we had fun doing it.”
Earlier Wednesday, Mulcair received a standing ovation after reminding caucus
WE TALKED (FRANKLY) TO EACH OTHER AND WE HAD FUN DOING IT.
of the NDP’s core values, including socialism — a word that Boulerice said he has always been comfortable with, despite the party oft leaning toward phrases such as “social democrat.”
Significant challenges remain as the NDP faces a major fundraising slump and weak support in polls. Differentiating themselves from the Liberal government — one that stole their ideas, if you asked Mulcair or Angus on Wednesday — is likely to be an uphill battle.
Peter Julian, the House leader, said the unanimity over Mulcair’s leadership was “very clear” and MPs had an opportunity to express their opinions about what he should focus on, and what to prioritize in the House.
Julian’s own leadership run is up in the air, and he’s still considering it, he said.
He recalled seeing similar fundraising and polling numbers about five weeks before the election in 2011, when the NDP had its bestever showing.
“I tend to take more of a long-term view on polling and I take a long-term view on financing,” Julian said, “and I think for most of our members, what we’re seeing is we’re putting into place a plan today and tomorrow and we’re going to be working vigorously.”