Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said yes to staying on as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.
His claims came less than 24 hours after he told lawmakers he would think about his future ahead of a deadline imposed by caucus defectors, leading some to believe I am left with a feeling of “disappointment.”
“We’re going to continue to have great discussions about the best way to move the Liberal Party forward,” Trudeau told reporters Thursday while facing questions about the previous day’s emotional caucus.
“We are focused on winning the next election and we have a great team around us to make that happen,” he said, backed by Liberal MPs.
But despite efforts to present a united front, Trudeau said Wednesday that he was staring down an Oct. 28 deadline when more than 20 disgruntled Liberal MPs said they wanted new leadership. The meeting has ended.
Prime Minister Trudeau’s apparent set aside less than 24 hours after he said he would reflect on what he heard in caucus, leading some Liberal MPs who called for his resignation to question the sincerity of that promise. I have doubts about this.
“I think he needs to reflect more.”
Liberal MP Sean Casey said “no” when asked if he thought leaders had had enough time to consider their next steps.
“But I don’t think he felt the need to reflect at all. I think his mind was made up,” Casey said. “It was disappointing.”
Charlottetown MP P.E.I. still hopes to run again in the seat he has held for more than a decade, but believes Trudeau sees things voters don’t, but will now look to energy He said he plans to focus on On being re-elected.
“He listened and didn’t budge. Even if he made up his mind, if this feeding frenzy continued for a few more days, no one would be able to help. It wouldn’t have happened.” So that’s what it is…For me personally, I’ve moved on. All of this consumes so much energy,” he said.
Patrick Wyler, Liberal MP for British Columbia’s West Vancouver, Sunshine Coast and Sea to Sky Country, said he was not surprised that Trudeau announced he would stay in office. If he had said anything else, he “would have been a lame duck prime minister,” Weiler added.
But Weiler said it all depends on Trudeau proving he can win.
“The ball is in his court and I know there are many unanswered questions that many members of Congress are eager to hear,” he said.
St John Rothesay MP Wayne Long, N.B., who has already announced he will not run again, said he will spend the weekend considering his next steps before Trudeau returns to his caucus on Monday with answers. He said he was looking forward to it.
“I’m personally disappointed that it’s actually been less than 20 hours since many of us told him he had to resign or needed to resign,” Long said. “He told us he would reflect. It’s a pretty quick repentance, but I think he needs to reflect more.”
Disgruntled MPs talking to Tories?
While Mr. Long respects Mr. Trudeau, he said the party needs new leadership to take on Conservative Leader Pierre Poièvre.
The MPs’ comments come amid suggestions that some MPs may be considering joining forces with the opposition on major issues if Prime Minister Trudeau does not resign.
Asked what kind of conversations he had had, Poièvre said he had spoken to “a number of Liberal MPs.”
“Some of them are worried that a carbon tax will take away their seats,” Poilievre said. “And some of them may be willing to vote for a no-confidence motion against Justin Trudeau if the issue comes up again.”
Mr Casey and other MPs poured cold water on the opposition leader’s claims and said they hoped their colleagues would use better judgment.
“Every colleague I’ve talked to thinks it’s a bad thing to have Pierre Poièvre in the prime minister’s office. Anything we do to improve that possibility is foolish,” Casey said. .
Prime Minister Trudeau faces pressure on other fronts too
The infighting comes amid a separate effort among some grassroots Liberals to circulate a “Code Red” petition asking the party’s national executive and caucus to organize a secret ballot on leadership issues. are.
Adding to the pressure Trudeau faces, the deadline for Trudeau to rejoin the team is set the day before Quebec’s ultimatum expires.
If the Liberal Party cannot ensure a pair of bloc bills pass the now-clogged parliament by October 29, Yves-François Blanchet has said he will begin talks with other opposition parties to overthrow the government.
So even if Trudeau is able to win over his caucus, his minority government’s grip on power could be at risk.
“If the Liberal Party is weakened, both Blockchain and the NDP could have an incentive to overthrow the government,” said political analyst Lori Williams.
