Grit Candidate Ignatieff Lead in Caucus Support
With 27 MPs
But Hall Findlay's campaign says some don't want to publicly declare, fearing riding takeovers. With the federal Liberal leadership race entering into its second month, 62 of the 167-member Liberal caucus, or 37 per cent, are still undecided about who they will support for leader.
According to a count by The Hill Times, 32 of the 102 Liberal MPs, or 31 per cent, and 30 of the 65 Liberal Senators, or 46 per cent, were still considering their options about who should be the next leader of the Liberal Party.
As well, eight Liberal MPs and six Liberal Senators have announced they will remain neutral in the current leadership race. In contrast, 91 Liberal caucus members including 62 Liberal MPs and 29 Senators have announced publicly their support for a leadership candidate.
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Liberal Senator Percy Downe (Charlottetown, P.E.I.), who is staying neutral in this race, told The Hill Times that he decided to step aside and not play a role in this leadership convention in order to give younger members of the party an opportunity to play an active role in the party.
For other undecided Senators and Liberal MPs, he said that they're taking their time to carefully evaluate their options before making a decision.
"We have to make room for new members, particularly younger members to join, and the only way to make room is for some of the old guard to step aside. I'm a firm believer in rejuvenating the party. There's lots of interesting young people who should have the same opportunities that many of us have had in the past, and, for that reason, I'm planning on attending the convention, but I'm not planning on getting involved," said Sen. Downe who in the past served as chief of staff to former prime minister Jean Chrétien.
"[Other undecided caucus members are] taking some time to carefully scrutinize all the candidates."
By F. Abbas Rana |