Conservative Senate Leader Marjory LeBreton resigns
Amid an upcoming cabinet shuffle, Conservative Senate Leader Marjory LeBreton has resigned the cabinet and a few other Conservative MPs have indicated they won’t run for re-election. The spring sitting was mired in scandal and the upcoming cabinet shuffle may be Harper’s only hope at reviving a severely tarnished brand.
LeBreton was the star of the Duffy Affair and was renowned for her stark criticism of the media. She offered little reason for her resignation after 7 and a half years at the post and thanked PM Harper for “the opportunity of a lifetime.” LeBreton will stay in the Conservative caucus and will have to retire in 2015 when she hits the mandatory retirement age of 75.
“Most of all, I want to thank him for his trust, his strong leadership and his friendship,” she said.
“While I will be leaving the position of government leader in the Senate, I will continue to be an active member of the Conservative caucus over the next few years,” said LeBreton. “I intend to step up my efforts in support of meaningful Senate reform and also actively back the new strengthened rules we introduced regarding Senate expenses.”
LeBreton isn’t the only Conservative stepping aside. Three MPs have stated they won’t run for re-election in 2015.
Calgary MP and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Diane Ablonczy, Alberta MP and Minister of State for Finance Ted Menzies, and New Brunswick MP and Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield have all released statements declaring they won’t run for re-election in 2015.
Meanwhile, polls show things are only getting worse for the Conservative Government. A CTV poll suggests 70% of Canadians say its time for change, and a number of polls indicate Justin Trudeau’s Liberal party would form a government if an election were held today.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is expected to announce his cabinet shuffle next week and he will have a good number of seats to fill. The shuffle will be a chance for him to give his government a much needed face-lift as Canadians tire of the current state of affairs – but will it work?
What do you think of LeBreton’s resignation and Conservative MPs decisions not to run again? Will a cabinet shuffle help the sinking Conservative brand find new life?
