MLA Steve Ashton resigns ahead of NDP leadership bid
Transportation Minister Steve Ashton resigns, leadership announcement expected Tuesday
Manitoba’s Transportation Minister Steve Ashton has resigned from cabinet.
The NDP MLA announced his decision on Twitter Monday morning, saying he plans to run for leader of the provincial party.
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Ashton tweeted, "Met with the Premier. Resigning as minister effective later today. Leadership announcement tomorrow #mbpoli" along with a photo of his office.
Ashton said resigning was the right thing to do, though it was bittersweet.
“You really have to have 100 per cent support for the premier and the cabinet,” said Ashton. “By definition, if you’re running for leader, and you’re putting different perspectives forward, there is a difference.”
However, Ashton would not say whether he believes Selinger should step down as premier during the leadership race.
"It's a different circumstance, and since I'm a minister, all I can do is speak for myself," he said. “I fundamentally believe that I can, as a candidate, and as a leader, reconnect the party to Manitobans. That’s the biggest challenge we’re facing right now – people who traditionally supported us, who are frustrated.
He’s the second NDP MLA to toss his hat into the ring, along with former health minister Theresa Oswald. Both are running to replace current Premier Greg Selinger, who is also expected to file his papers to defend his leadership position.
Political analyst Curtis Brown says Ashton may come up the middle to win because New Democrats aren’t happy about the turmoil in the party.
Last month, five cabinet ministers resigned on the same day, citing concerns over being able to speak their minds in government.
“[NDP members are] upset about what [the gang of five] did. I think that could be helpful to him because he’s not seen as trying to be sort of as, you know, directly opportunistic,” said Brown. “He won’t be blamed for the fact that he’s running.”
Brown said Ashton has run for leader before, but he didn’t make it because factions banded together to keep him out.
Brown said that may not be the case this time.
“If either Theresa Oswald or Greg Selinger doesn’t get enough support on the first ballot, I can’t see them coming together to keep Steve Ashton out this time,” he said. “There’s just been too much bad blood. I think there’s been too much concern about Greg Selinger and how he’s performed."
Brown also said Ashton's resignation will fuel pressure for Selinger to step aside during the race.
“It sort of underscores the point that the premier should be stepping down and should be stepping back and by being the premier he may have an unfair advantage,” said Brown.
But Suzanne Hrynyk, a representative for Selinger’s campaign, said he has no plans to resign.
“The party is not requiring that of Premier Selinger,” said Hrynyk.
She said their camp expected there would be more than one candidate, and they wished Ashton well in the race.
She added,“ Selinger is determined to lead the province to do what the voters of Manitoba have instructed him to do in the last election.”
'No one can get a highway built like Steve'
Oswald's camp released a statement Monday afternoon, saying she welcomed Ashton to the race.
The statement went on, "I welcome Steve to the race. I've had the privilege of working with Steve Ashton for many years around the cabinet table and I know he is smart, a hard worker and that no one can get a highway built like Steve can."
Oswald concluded, "I look forward to having a respectful and constructive dialogue with Steve about renewing our party to ensure we are able to stop Brian Pallister and the PCs in the next election from tearing apart the progress our government has made on health care and education."
The deadline to join the race is Jan. 6 and voting is expected to happen in March during the NDP convention.