Suspended party member Harry Wolbert interested in Liberal leadership

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This article was published 23/07/2012 (4930 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A former Manitoba Liberal executive member whose party membership was suspended when he and a colleague leaked details of a possible merger with the Manitoba Greens is considering a run at the Grit leadership.

Harry Wolbert began musing publicly about a potential leadership run on social media Sunday evening.

In an interview this morning, he said his chances of running are “better than 50-50.”

He would be the third Liberal to express an interest in the leadership race to succeed Jon Gerrard, who officially announced his resignation this spring. Gerrard is remaining as interim leader until the provincial Liberals choose his successor in early fall 2013.

In recent weeks, business consultant Robert Young and Toronto-based lobbyist Ajay Chopra, who was born and raised in Winnipeg, have also expressed an interest in the Liberal post.

“I think I can generate a lot more interest and excitement in the campaign than has so far been demonstrated by the two declared candidates,” said Wolbert, an anti-poverty activist and outreach worker for disabled persons. “I think it’s time for a new era in Liberalism and Manitoba politics.”

Wolbert said his suspension was to last until the end of December. After the disciplinary measure was announced, he quite the party on March 5. He said he still has a lot of friends and supporters within the Liberal fold.

Wolbert also made headlines during last fall’s provincial election campaign when as a candidate for St. Vital and a party board member he mused that the Liberals might be wiped off the political map. He also said that the “writing may be on the wall” for Gerrard’s leadership.

Gerrard was the only Liberal to win a seat in the Oct. 4 election.