Liberals Have No Interest In Winning Provincial Election

The Liberals have no intention of mounting a real challenge in the upcoming provincial election.  They are content with their four seats in the Legislature.  It may be because they are wanting to focus on retaining their federal seats in the October election.  It may be because they are weary from a leadership race, or they have little funds.  Either way, they are content with what they have.  It is also possible that they are not secure with their four seats so they will be devoting all of their resources on those election campaigns.  \

I have a friend who bleeds red.  Well, we all do, but this woman has been a loyal Liberal for a long period of time.  She has been a loyal foot soldier for a long time.  For the past few years, she has been preparing to run as a Liberal candidate in the Provincial election.  She is a true believer.  She leans a little left of center as do most idealists.  A few months ago, during the SNC-Lavalin affair, she was a passionate defender of Trudeau on social media.  Some people suggested if she sat that one out and let Trudeau defend himself.  Some suggested she would have more credibility as a candidate if she demonstrated more critical thinking and not blind loyalty.  She fully believes in the labour movement and has been celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Winnipeg General Strike this month.  Frankly, as we all should be doing.  This is an important contribution of Winnipeg to history. Regardless, she has been preparing for the provincial election and has been rearranging her life to accommodate her candidacy.  

She has now been informed that she will not get the nomination because of some of her social media doesn't line up with Manitoba Liberal policy.  

First of all, shame on Manitoba Liberals.  I don't see many people jumping up and down wanting to run for the Liberals.  And, why would they?  Most people don't want to devote several months of their life to something that won't be successful.

Secondly, what Manitoba Liberal policy?  Looking at their social media, they are not prepared for an election.  Their new leader has not been able to generate any enthusiasm or momentum.  The press give him coverage as a courtesy.  His own seat of St. Boniface is not secure and he was only elected as a result of a by-election where there was no incumbent.  And, the Liberals put everything they had into that by-election.  And, they will likely need to double down in this election.  

To succeed in politics, sometimes you have to put your own agenda second to that of your party's best interests.  To that end, when the Manitoba Liberals elected Rana Bokhari as Leader, they seemed to infuse a spark into the Party. She was passionate and an idealist who made me pay attention.  She just needed a seat in the Legislature because it is hard to lead a party when you have no opportunity to show a constituency how their needs could be served.  Dr. Gerard could have given up his seat in favour of the new leader.  He chose not to.  He had another opportunity when Lamont was elected leader and he did not.  He has a confusing record of loyalty both provincially and federally.  

He was a one term MP from 1993-1997.  In 1998, he became MLA for River Heights and after 21 years, he has indicated that he will run for re-election again.  To me, this is troubling for the Liberal party.  Of course, Dr. Gerard has been a tireless public servant and no one can fault her personally or professionally.  However, what the Liberal party does not need is recycled 21 year old ideas.  The only hope of success is getting fresh new energy and ideas.  

I remember when Sharon Carstairs was literally the only card carrying Liberal to holding a seat in the Legislature to becoming the Leader of the Opposition.  I wasn't living in Manitoba at the time, however Sharon Carstairs managed to attract the attention of a nation.  She was a sharp tongued woman who grabbed the spotlight because of her passion and work ethic.  She went on to become a Senator and Minister of State of Hospice and Palliative Care.  A true leader.  End of Life has become significantly more dignified and holistic as her legacy.  And, now she is retired.  She has earned that rest.  Even though she is no longer officially holding office, she is still active in causes that she believes in. 

My friend is also a passionate spark plug and a sharp-tongued woman.  She could inject new ideas and energy into the party.  

The Liberals won't give her a chance and they also don't have the guts to ask someone to retire.  They don't want to be a party of the future.  

The Liberals are showing that they have no interest in winning the election or even mounting a meaningful campaign.