EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — As potential Canadian Alliance leadership candidates fall over themselves to disavow any interest in the job, both Stockwell Day’s supporters and critics conclude the embattled leader will probably try to keep it.
Day has called on the party’s governing body, the national council, to set up a leadership election in a bid to end party turmoil over his stewardship. He has also said he will resign 90 days before the vote — as party policy requires.
Although Day hasn’t announced his candidacy, MP Grant Hill — a Day loyalist — said he sees signs that Day isn’t done.
“He’s certainly not stepping back from the workload, and that’s a bit of a signal to me that he’s very, very seriously considering running,” he said Wednesday.
Manitoba MP Inky Mark says a Day campaign, with its in-place organization, would have to be the front-runner in a party leadership contest.
“Who in their right mind would run against Stockwell Day and his 90-day election campaign?” he asked.
“Who in their right mind would run for the leadership of this party in shape it’s in today?”
And none of those touted as potential candidates appear interested — at least for now.
Mark says it all adds up to one thing: “Stock is going to get the job.”
