NDP MP Thomas Mulcair ponders running to succeed Layton
MONTREAL - Outremont MP Thomas Mulcair says he is seriously considering entering the race to succeed Jack Layton as leader of the New Democratic Party and says he has received support not only in Quebec, but from across Canada.
Speaking to reporters for the first time since Layton died of cancer eight days ago, Mulcair acknowledged he is testing the waters to see if he can garner enough support to run a successful campaign. “It will be a pan-Canadian campaign and the support has to be there. We are trying to measure it,” Mulcair said Tuesday before a speech to law students at McGill University.
Mulcair said he will make his decision within a few weeks.
“It is too early to say anything except that I am thinking about it,” he said. “There is a lot of interest from colleagues who are encouraging me.” Mulcair is one of the party’s two deputy leaders, and is the NDP's Quebec lieutenant. He said the last week has been difficult and he is still grieving for his friend Layton, whom he described as a colleague and a mentor.
Brian Topp, the party’s president, has indicated he is also considering running for the leadership and would announce his decision in a few days. It is assumed Mulcair would have the support of many of the other 57 NDP members of Parliament from Quebec, who make up the majority of the party’s caucus.
In an letter to Canadians, released after his death, Layton urged the NDP to replace him during a convention to be held early next year.
Mulcair said he hopes the leadership race is a clean campaign full of ideas so the party can “move to the next step, which is to form an NDP government.”
NDP MP Thomas Mulcair ponders running to succeed Layton
*awaits Colpy cackling*
MONTREAL - Outremont MP Thomas Mulcair says he is seriously considering entering the race to succeed Jack Layton as leader of the New Democratic Party and says he has received support not only in Quebec, but from across Canada.
Speaking to reporters for the first time since Layton died of cancer eight days ago, Mulcair acknowledged he is testing the waters to see if he can garner enough support to run a successful campaign. “It will be a pan-Canadian campaign and the support has to be there. We are trying to measure it,” Mulcair said Tuesday before a speech to law students at McGill University.
Mulcair said he will make his decision within a few weeks.
“It is too early to say anything except that I am thinking about it,” he said. “There is a lot of interest from colleagues who are encouraging me.” Mulcair is one of the party’s two deputy leaders, and is the NDP's Quebec lieutenant. He said the last week has been difficult and he is still grieving for his friend Layton, whom he described as a colleague and a mentor.
Brian Topp, the party’s president, has indicated he is also considering running for the leadership and would announce his decision in a few days. It is assumed Mulcair would have the support of many of the other 57 NDP members of Parliament from Quebec, who make up the majority of the party’s caucus.
In an letter to Canadians, released after his death, Layton urged the NDP to replace him during a convention to be held early next year.
Mulcair said he hopes the leadership race is a clean campaign full of ideas so the party can “move to the next step, which is to form an NDP government.”
NDP MP Thomas Mulcair ponders running to succeed Layton
*awaits Colpy cackling*
) 