NDP caucus still has rift

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This article was published 04/11/2014 (3994 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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Premier Greg Selinger — and his government — still faces a murky future after defying the so-called Gang of Five rebels and shuffling his cabinet.

Selinger’s caucus remains divided, with many NDP MLAs yet to declare where they stand on his leadership.

Monday’s swearing-in ceremony was more remarkable by who was absent than who was in attendance. By that count alone, the split in the 34-member NDP caucus is almost 50/50.

Three members of the cabinet did not attend the hastily arranged ceremony. Also missing were eight backbench MLAs, some of whom had stood behind the premier last Tuesday when he announced his decision to carry on as NDP leader.

Selinger’s response to the five rebel ministers is still a work in progress — he would not say Monday whether they would be removed from his caucus. He also refused to confirm there would be a throne speech and a customary short sitting of the legislature this fall.

Even by replacing the five front-bench cabinet ministers, Selinger’s government will remain wounded for the foreseeable future.

He can only be removed by a special convention of the NDP — if there is the will to do that — or through a motion at the party’s annual convention March 6-8. Even a special convention, however, is unlikely to be held until some time early in the new year as it would need the approval of the NDP’s provincial council early next month.

On Monday, the group of five — Erin Selby, Andrew Swan, Theresa Oswald, Stan Struthers and Jennifer Howard — said Selinger only listened to those in his cabinet who validated him as leader. They accused him of being more interested in hanging onto power than governing in the best interests of Manitobans.

“When you are a voice that may not sing in harmony with what the premier wants to say, it becomes very difficult for your voice to be heard after that,” Oswald, the former jobs and the economy minister, said early in the day.

“It’s unfortunate that those kinds of comments are made,” Selinger said after replacing Oswald with Kevin Chief. “The whole point of the exercise is to find a way for people to work together in solidarity to meet the priorities of Manitobans.”

Selinger received a restrained ovation from guests, allied MLAs and political staff as he entered the large legislative building meeting room for the swearing-in ceremonies.

Beneath the brave words from Selinger and his surviving ministers about serving in the best interests of the public, there was the sense the events of the past week are far from resolved.

In addition to bringing in four new faces, Selinger handed new responsibilities to six continuing ministers on Monday. The government heads into a new legislative session and the new year with a new minister of finance with no cabinet experience in Greg Dewar (Selkirk), a new health minister who was only elevated to cabinet a year ago in Sharon Blady, and a brand-new justice minister in James Allum.

Selinger’s decision to forge on with a revamped cabinet appears to be based on the belief there won’t be more defections from his front benches or the NDP caucus. But that is not a given.

“I think it’s been obvious over the last week that the concerns we have are not ours alone,” Howard said Monday.

It was also clear, however, the premier still commands a number of loyal ministers who are determined, like he is, to carry on.

Blady said she disagrees the cabinet has grown dysfunctional in recent months.

“That is not my experience in caucus or cabinet,” she told reporters shortly after being sworn in.

Selinger “is a listener,” she added. “He is probably one of the most collaborative people I’ve ever met.”

She and others also downplayed the fact nearly a dozen caucus members — in addition to the Gang of Five — were not in attendance for the swearing-in ceremony, saying it was done on short notice.

“Just because somebody isn’t here physically does not mean they are not here in spirit,” Blady said.

Meanwhile, the Conservative Opposition said Manitobans are suffering because the governing NDP is mired in its own internal troubles. Adding several new faces isn’t going to change things, said Tory deputy leader Heather Stefanson.

“As far as I’m concerned, they’re all cut from the same cloth,” she said, noting all of the new cabinet voted in favour of raising the PST.

Manitoba Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari said the events of the past week have demonstrated the NDP can no longer govern.

She said Selinger has no choice but to call an election.

“How can this government be trusted at all? Quite simply, it can’t be.”

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

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If Gang of 5 has no confidence in Selinger, they should vote against Govt on confidence motions. Staple of Westminster democracy. #mbpoli

— Blake Hamm (@blakehamm) November 3, 2014

Seriously? Greg Dewar to Finance? 24 year backbencher gets the most important job of all? Selinger is really circling the wagons. #mbpoli

— Gord Buck (@Gord_Buck) November 3, 2014

Five cabinet ministers quit on #Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger today. His face will now replace @Garfield's on all "I Hate Monday" mugs.

— Adam Cooke (@AdamJRCooke) November 3, 2014

Was going to tweet something about how the new Municipal Minister is anti-urban, but whatever, this government is done soon anyway. #mbpoli

— Robert Galston (@robgalston) November 3, 2014

What is #Selinger trying to prove? That he is a stubborn person? He sure isn't making himself or his party more attractive! #mbpoli

— Byron Dueck (@byrondueck0) November 3, 2014

I've said it before - I'll say it again. I literally CANNOT wait for the provincial election #mbpoli

— Ally Beauchesne (@AllyBeauchesne) November 3, 2014