Allum to leave political life following mandate

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This article was published 20/12/2018 (2827 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Longtime political figure James Allum’s name will not be appearing on any future ballots.

Allum, the MLA for Fort Garry-Riverview, announced he will not seek re-election in 2020 on Dec. 14.

“It’s time for me to move on. It may be that people don’t appreciate that I’ve been in the business for a long time,” Allum said. “I ran in my first election in 1988 in Peterborough, Ont. for city councillor. I ran in two federal elections in 2000 and 2004 for the NDP in Winnipeg South Centre.

“And in between of all of that, I’ve served pretty much every role and position in the party, from regular member to president… So it really is time for me to move on and to see what else life has to offer.”

Allum, 57, was first elected to the legislature in 2011 and served with the majority New Democratic Party as Minister of Education and Advanced Learning, and later Minister of Justice and Attorney General. He was also Keeper of the Great Seal of the Province of Manitoba, Minister responsible for Constitutional Affairs, and Minister charged with the administration of The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Act during his first term.

He was subsequently re-elected in 2016.

Although Allum said it was not a sudden decision to step away from politics, the recently announced changes to the provincial electoral boundaries presented an appropriate opportunity to make his intentions known.

The Manitoba Electoral Divisions Boundaries Commission released its final report on Dec. 14. The Fort Garry-Riverview constituency has been eliminated, with the South Osborne neighbourhoods of Riverview and Lord Roberts being absorbed by Fort Rouge (currently held by NDP leader Wab Kinew). Fort Garry is now its own standalone constituency.

“There’s no point in having any complication or confusion over whether I was going to continue to run in the new seat of Fort Garry or not,” Allum said. “The actual changes in the boundaries didn’t have anything to do with the decision. I had made up my mind some time ago.”  

Allum said he will serve the remainder of his term in office, which concludes on election day, Oct. 6, 2020.

“Really for me at this stage, it (is about) continuing to hold the Pallister government to account for their ongoing and relentless austerity program,” Allum said. “So I’m going to continue to try to be an effective critic of the government.”

As for his future after leaving the legislature, Allum said that still remains to be seen. However, he guaranteed he will not be running for political office and said he’s grateful for the support he’s received from the community over the years.

“I owe all of them an enormous debt of gratitude,” Allum said. “I feel very lucky and pleased that I had this opportunity.”

Aside from the personal motivations to leave politics, Allum said his departure also signals change in the NDP.

“I really believe that the NDP needs generational change and so for people like me, although I’m still a relatively young man, need to move on and pass the torch on to others to continue to build the party,” he said.

Allum said he will be part of the party’s planning for the 42nd general election, but will not have a direct hand in picking a new candidate for Fort Garry.