Progressive Conservatives pick Jim Wilson as interim leader
New interim Tory leader veteran MPP Jim Wilson says he will shepherd in a new era of caucus involvement in all party decisions after the Progressive Conservatives were so badly beaten at the polls June 12.
The 51-year-old Simcoe-Grey MPP, who was chosen by the 28-member caucus Wednesday, told reporters the caretaker roll will still afford him the opportunity knit back together a caucus where everyone has a voice.
“We need to make changes in our caucus. Clearly caucus members want to be included in all major decision-making. It was that way many years ago when I started and we need to get back to that,” he said.
The Tories, under then leader Tim Hudak, lost nine seats at a time the party was convinced they could knock off the scandal plagued Liberals, who ended up forming a 58-seat majority.
Wilson noted the lack of caucus input was “absolutely” a failing in the previous caucus under Hudak’s direction. Hudak officially stepped down as leader Wednesday.
“In running for the interim leadership it was crystal clear from every single member of caucus that they felt disenfranchised,” said Wilson, who emphasized he will not be running for leader.
Wilson, who was elected in 1990, ran against Tory MPP John Yakabuski (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke) and Randy Hillier (Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington).
The leadership race to replace Hudak began to take shape last week with MPP Christine Elliott (Whiby-Osahwa) the first to announce she wants the job. The widow of former federal finance minister Jim Flaherty ran in the 2009 leadership race won by Hudak. She finished third.
Other caucus members who have indicated an interest are MPPs Lisa MacLeod (Nepean-Carleton), Monte McNaughton (Lambton-Kent-Middlesex) and Vic Fedeli (Nipissing).
http://m.thestar.com/#/article/news...atives_pick_jim_wilson_as_interim_leader.html
New interim Tory leader veteran MPP Jim Wilson says he will shepherd in a new era of caucus involvement in all party decisions after the Progressive Conservatives were so badly beaten at the polls June 12.
The 51-year-old Simcoe-Grey MPP, who was chosen by the 28-member caucus Wednesday, told reporters the caretaker roll will still afford him the opportunity knit back together a caucus where everyone has a voice.
“We need to make changes in our caucus. Clearly caucus members want to be included in all major decision-making. It was that way many years ago when I started and we need to get back to that,” he said.
The Tories, under then leader Tim Hudak, lost nine seats at a time the party was convinced they could knock off the scandal plagued Liberals, who ended up forming a 58-seat majority.
Wilson noted the lack of caucus input was “absolutely” a failing in the previous caucus under Hudak’s direction. Hudak officially stepped down as leader Wednesday.
“In running for the interim leadership it was crystal clear from every single member of caucus that they felt disenfranchised,” said Wilson, who emphasized he will not be running for leader.
Wilson, who was elected in 1990, ran against Tory MPP John Yakabuski (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke) and Randy Hillier (Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington).
The leadership race to replace Hudak began to take shape last week with MPP Christine Elliott (Whiby-Osahwa) the first to announce she wants the job. The widow of former federal finance minister Jim Flaherty ran in the 2009 leadership race won by Hudak. She finished third.
Other caucus members who have indicated an interest are MPPs Lisa MacLeod (Nepean-Carleton), Monte McNaughton (Lambton-Kent-Middlesex) and Vic Fedeli (Nipissing).
http://m.thestar.com/#/article/news...atives_pick_jim_wilson_as_interim_leader.html
