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Swan out, backs Selinger's NDP leadership bid

By: Bruce Owen and Larry Kusch

28/09/2009 7:30 PM | Comments: 25

NDP leadership candidate Andrew Swan withdraws from the race, giving his support to Greg Selinger

KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Enlarge Image

NDP leadership candidate Andrew Swan withdraws from the race, giving his support to Greg Selinger

 WINNIPEG — NDP leadership candidate Greg Selinger has picked up his biggest endorsement yet -- he’s now backed by his former competitor, Andrew Swan.

Swan suddenly bowed out of the three-way race on Monday and directed his support to Selinger.

The contest to become Manitoba’s next premier is now between Selinger and Steve Ashton, who picked up dozens more delegates this weekend.

Swan said he decided to quit after delegate support for his campaign evaporated in The Pas.

"I simply wasn’t able to gather as many supporters as I would have liked," Swan said. "When you do the math, it simply didn’t create a pathway for me to be where I wanted to be.

"I was very disappointed," he added. "I was surprised. There’s no hiding that."

Swan said he’s throwing his support behind Selinger as the former finance minister is the better man to lead the NDP into the next provincial election in 2011.

"I’ll do everything I can to have my delegates and my supporters and anybody else support Greg Selinger," Swan said. "I believe he’s the best person to keep our party moving in the right direction."

Swan’s decision to quit is being seen by some as an orchestrated move by the party’s establishment to keep Ashton out of the premier’s office. Ashton has surprised many by his strong showing so far not only in the north, but in Winnipeg, too.

"When he (Swan) says he’s looking at the numbers, I don’t think he was only looking at his column," University of Manitoba political studies professor Jared Wesley said. "I think he was looking at his least preferred candidate surging in numbers and looking for a way to prevent his least favourite candidate from becoming the next premier."

Swan bristled at the suggestion his stepping down was part of an "anybody but Ashton" tactic.

"My decision today is anybody but McFadyen," Swan said, referring to Opposition Tory Leader Hugh McFadyen.

But he did say his decision to quit was designed to give him as much time as possible before the Oct. 17 leadership vote to woo more support Selinger’s way.

"I think it is more useful to have me doing that with 19 days left in the campaign than half an hour on a convention floor where things can get pretty animated," he said.

Swan, the former competitiveness, training and trade minister, returned to the legislature almost immediately to continue sitting as the MLA for Minto.

He declined to directly answer whether he’d get a more high-profile position in cabinet should Selinger become the next premier.  Swan, a lawyer, is considered by some likely to replace Dave Chomiak as the next attorney general.

"The assurances have actually been informal between all three of us," Swan said. "Between Steve Ashton and Greg Selinger and myself, we’ve made it clear among each other that whatever happened in this, the other two would continue to be an important part of this government."

Selinger said he was disappointed Swan took himself off the ballot.

"I think it’s really important that we have many voices in the campaign," Selinger said. "I know he’s made a personal decision. It’s a tough choice for him. I respect that. However, I thought he made a positive contribution to the campaign, and I believe he will be missed."

Selinger added that even with Swan’s support the race to replace Premier Gary Doer has tightened up.

"I do not think this race is over by any means," he said. "We will continue our campaign of working closely with people, explaining what we stand for and hopefully garnering their support of going forward. But I take nothing for granted."

Ashton said wins over the weekend at constituency meetings in The Pas, Flin Flon and his home riding of Thompson have vaulted him to the lead in delegate support.

"Our campaign has ignited enthusiasm across this province," he said. "My prediction is that over the next number of days, watch out, you’re going to see continued support for our campaign, our grassroots campaign, perhaps our underdog campaign."

Ashton also did not apologize for signing up hundreds of new members, largely from the Greek, Filipino and Indo-Canadian communities, in an attempt to take key ridings — an effort that seems to have riled some party insiders.

"I’ll be upfront. This is the new Manitoba. We said from Day 1, we’re going to reflect the diversity of this province in everything we do. And that includes our campaign."

Swan added he did not blame the NDP’s new rules—picking delegates to represent party members instead of one member-one vote—for choosing a new leader as the reason for his abbreviated campaign.

"It was the same rules for everybody," he said.

He also said his saw no shame in quitting early.

"In curling, if you know what the result’s going to be even if there’s a couple of ends, there’s is no dishonour in taking off your glove and shaking hands."

bruce.owen@freepress.mb.ca
larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca

 

History

Updated on Monday, September 28, 2009 at 12:38 PM CDT:
Updated after Swan announcement.

Updated on Monday, September 28, 2009 at 3:16 PM CDT:
Adds Ashton claiming lead in leadership race

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25 Commentscomment icon

Mike, you raise a very good point: Selinger has the support of Liberals, meaning like Doer, HE CAN ACTUALLY WIN! Ashton on the other hand has the support of... MYND?

Brandonboy : Its time to grow up and be a man BrandonBOY . You must mature and and forget those boyhood fantasies and be a man in the real world. The fact that these so called cabinet ministers couldn't even deliver their own riding's to their chosen candidate tells me they that their own constituency has absolutely NO confidence or faith in them. NOBODY CARES about who they want. Take a look at cabinet ministers that supported SWAN . Boy they really made a solid decision ! Looks like their guy has bailed on them. Now like sheep they are going to follow the leader only to get slaughtered.
sami


Sami

The simple truth that Ashton supporters such as yourself fail to acknowledge is that not one current or past cabinet minister in the Doer Government is willing to stand up and support Ashton. What do you think that says? Do they feel confident about where he would lead the NDP and Manitoba. Cabinet ministers have a pretty good idea, perhaps better than you or I about the day to day realities of governing. If some were behind him that would say something. But not one is. Even if Ashton has been there for 3 decades or not.

Hey Mike. The people of Manitoba may have elected an NDP government, but they also elected a majority of Harper Tory MP's, and in Winnipeg, where the NDP holds 20 seats, voters elected and re-elected Sam Katz as mayor. You're dreaming if you think voters will embrace a socialist like Ashton. Anyone to the left of Doer is dead meat in the next election. But don't worry. You have some allies in your quest to see the NDP move far to the left under Ashton. Hugh McFadyen is hoping that happens too.

The Selinger people are so scared of losing their grip on power. Those "Liberal" NDP members have thrown the NDP principles under the bus. The people of Manitoba voted for an NDP government, meaning they want a socialist approach. Steve Ashton will do fine as Premier and will win the next election. Any other suggestion is fear-mongering.

Now we have a leadership election. This election isn't about new ideas or opening up old issues that have already been decided by the party. It's about steering this province through tough economic times and ensuring that we steer the course in health, education, infrastucture, water stewarship and more. I'm sure we will be seeing Swan up for the leadership selection again, but for this one, let's let the two senior sticks duke it out.

I am a long standing new democrat and I will hold my nose and vote for Jon Gerard before I will support Ashton!

Its pretty foolish to suggest that any leader would make the NDP unelectable in Manitoba. The NDP won all 36 of its seats by more than a 10% margin in the last election. The electorate has changed a lot since 1988. The people of this province realize the benefits of a progressive government and aren't afraid of social democracy.

GO SELINGER!!

Now THAT'S an NDP sandwich! Lucky Andy!

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