P.E.I. Liberals aiming for new leader by year end

The P.E.I. Liberal Occasion nonetheless hasn’t set a date for electing a brand new chief, nevertheless it has set a timeframe.

A conference had been scheduled for November 2021, however that was cancelled when it regarded just like the occasion wouldn’t be capable of maintain the conference in particular person as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our precedence is to ensure that Islanders have an opportunity to pick out a brand new Liberal chief by the tip of this yr,” occasion president Don Leary informed Island Morning host Wayne Thibodeau.

P.E.I.’s subsequent common election is scheduled for October 2023. Premier Dennis King might name one earlier, however with a majority authorities he’s unlikely to be compelled to.

The occasion at the moment has 4 sitting MLAs and is headed by interim chief Sonny Gallant.

A brand new risk

The 2019 election was a catastrophe for the Liberals. They fell from authorities to third-party standing.

“They have been down earlier than, however by no means as a 3rd occasion,” says UPEI political scientist Don Desserud.

“There was by no means one other occasion that was seen as a risk and a vote taker.”

The Inexperienced occasion is P.E.I.’s Official Opposition. With the Progressive Conservatives taking about the identical variety of votes in 2015 and 2019, it seems the Greens acquired there largely by taking votes from the Liberals, stated Desserud.

Following earlier large losses, the Liberals might really feel assured their flip would come once more, however they cannot be sure of that this time, he stated.

Little hope of 2023 victory

The Liberals will pin their hopes on attracting a star candidate, which is actually a chance, stated Desserud. Liberal chief on P.E.I. stays a prestigious place, however there are explicit challenges.

If the brand new chief comes from outdoors the present group of MLAs there shall be no political wage for a couple of yr whereas ready for the election. With the occasion in debt from the 2019 election there will not be a lot means to supply a wage.

Nor are the prospects lots higher after a 2023 election. There has not been a one-term authorities on P.E.I. in additional than 50 years.

“They will not say this out loud, however whoever turns into the chief, you already know, behind closed doorways, shall be informed the possibilities of the occasion successful the subsequent election shall be slim,” stated Desserud.

The occasion’s provincial govt has been assembly with district executives over the previous couple of months, and Leary stated regardless of the challenges Liberals are upbeat.

“The overall feeling is we now have nowhere to go however up,” he stated.