Tories need to get moving on new leader; the one they have wants out

Opinion

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This article was published 20/11/2023 (673 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Apart from the pomp and circumstance on Tuesday surrounding the NDP government’s first speech from the throne, there is a pressing concern that the official Opposition needs to deal with on an urgent basis.

Namely, what to do with Heather Stefanson.

Manitoba’s first female premier was soundly defeated in the October 3 election after one of the most odious political campaigns in the province’s history. Shortly thereafter, it was announced Stefanson would remain leader until the Progressive Conservatives choose a successor, which could take 12-18 months.

Stefanson scheduled a news conference to discuss her decision, but cancelled it. Then, she disappeared for about six weeks, neglecting some important duties.

Finally reappearing late last week for a media availability, Stefanson surprised many onlookers by suggesting she might step aside much earlier — perhaps January or February — if the party can settle on a new leadership selection process early in the new year.

“Possibly,” she said of the prospect of a much earlier departure. “We’ll see.”

That statement stood in contrast to the comments made in the wake of the party’s October electoral defeat, when it was suggested by that having Stefanson stay on as leader was the best possible option.

Her experience would be an asset that would provide the party with stability while it goes through a critical transition to a new leader. She would provide an experienced hand in the legislature, both in debate and question period.

However, after watching Stefanson late last week, perhaps it’s time for Manitoba Progressive Conservatives to ask themselves what’s best for Heather? If they asked themselves that question, they might realize Stefanson is telling them she would like it to be sooner rather than later.

Put another way, when Stefanson finally faced news media last week to talk about her decision to stay, she provided little indication she, in fact, genuinely wants to remain leader.

She faithfully recited the rationale for staying on, which included overseeing a stable transition to a new leader. However, when discussing her decision to drop off the political grid for six weeks — she appeared only once, on Oct. 23, to be sworn in as an MLA — her true state of mind was revealed.

Stefanson confirmed she and her family took a two-week vacation to an unnamed sun destination, and she spent a week with daughter Victoria, who just started a job in Toronto. With each revelation, it was easy to see that for all intents and purposes, Stefanson is already well along the way in the transition from high-profile political leader to private citizen.

This was particularly evident when she talked about her family. “I love my kids,” she said. “I want to spend more time with them now that I have more time to do so.”

Her use of the word “now” is particularly telling.

As leader of the official Opposition, her job should be only slightly less demanding than that of first minister. Stefanson’s “now” includes leading her party’s grilling of Premier Wab Kinew in question period, motivating the diminished elected caucus to offer spirited opposition and holding regular news conferences and scrums to hold the NDP government’s feet to the proverbial fire.

There is also the job of rebuilding her party. Appearances at public events will need to be made, rank-and-file members will need to be comforted and key supporters will need to be recruited into the senior ranks of the party hierarchy.

That is a job of sufficient importance and workload to deny most elected officials an abundance of quality time with family.

Let’s be perfectly clear: this is not an attack on Stefanson for taking six weeks off from her duties as Opposition leader or her admission she is more focused on family than politics.

Furthermore, her behaviour over that time is in no way a crime against democracy or the sacred traditions of the Manitoba legislature.

This is plea for Progressive Conservatives in this province — elected officials, party executives and supporters — to really listen to what Stefanson is saying and grant her a dignified departure.

After seven general elections and nearly a quarter-century in the legislature, Stefanson does not owe her party, or democracy, any more than what she has already given.

She has suffered many slings and arrows — both within her party and outside it — on the way to becoming the first woman to serve as Manitoba’s premier. She governed both as a cabinet minister and first minister through a global pandemic and its aftermath, and an economic crisis sparked by inflation and high interest rates.

Whether or not you think she did a good job, those are significant accomplishments that earn her the right to dictate the terms of her departure. And while she may have initially stood by the decision to stay, Stefanson is giving off every indication she has reconsidered her situation.

There are likely many within the party who felt that allowing Stefanson to remain as leader was an act of respect for someone who took them through troubled times.

However, with every passing day, what was intended as an act of respect is starting to look more like an act of cruelty.

dan.lett@winnipegfreepress.com