EDMONTON, Alberta — The clinging-by-its-fingertips leadership of Stockwell Day took another boot stomp Tuesday when one of the Canadian Alliance’s strongest voices called for his resignation.
Deborah Grey, the party’s longest-serving MP, cited a list of dirty tricks she said were committed by party insiders as she announced she could no longer stand by Day as leader.
“I don’t believe he has the ability or substance to fulfil that role,” Grey told a news conference in her Edmonton North riding.
Grey’s decision brings the number of Alliance MPs who have left caucus over the leadership issue to 12 — enough to allow them to apply for official party status in the Commons.
Grey said she would work with the other 11 MPs who have bolted from the caucus and dismissed rumors that she might join Joe Clark’s Tories.
Day could not immediately be reached for comment.
Grey explained that she had tried her best to work things out since April but learned that “any debate, discussion or disagreement is simply not allowed. We’ve been told to support the leader, express confidence in him or leave caucus. Unfortunately there’s only one of those options open to me.”
Grey’s loss is a heavy blow for both Day’s leadership and the remaining Alliance caucus. Her experience and blunt, straight-talking style have made her one of the party’s most effective and respected representatives.
