Ryan Meili Takes The Spotlight
Political newcomer surprised at NDP convention
As he even joked about in his concession speech, Ryan Meili started the four candidate NDP race, as "that Saskatoon doctor".
It appears he will be remembered, at least for now, as the man who made Dwain Lingenfelter's expected easy win not so simple. Meili received 45% to Lingenfelter's 55% of the vote, having gained the support of Deb Higgins and Yens Pederson when they dropped out after the first ballot. News Talk Radio had live coverage of the convention as the drama played out.
Meili admits the split is evidence that there are a lot of people with different ideas of where the NDP should be heading.
The move of the other supporters to back Meili rather than Lingenfelter may indicate cracks exist, in a party where they're usually very hard to see. Meili says it will be up to Lingenfelter to reach out to those who didn't vote for him.
His advice to his new leader? Reach out to the younger, more progressive side of the party and work to re-build it, emphasizing unity and rejuvenation.Meili says he can help, if he's able to find a seat in the Legislature.
Meili expects to decide this weekend whether to run in Lorne Calvert's riding Saskatoon riding of Rivdersdale. Lingenfelter has made it clear he wants to be based out of Regina. The question seems to be not so much whether, but when a Regina New Democrat will step aside for Lingenfelter to run.
Comments
The guy is just too old
This 34 yr old physician from Saskatoon named Meili was the NDP's true contender to the equally young Brad Wall. By the time the NDP have any shot of winning (in 2015), Lingenfelter will be 66 yrs old and not really the best candidate to relate with Saskatchewan's youth. Just my opinion.
anthony is bang on...going
anthony is bang on...going with an older person as leader shows the ndp is still holding on to their old, tired and defeated ways. lingenfelter maybe the " new " leader of the party but he is an old name from the past.
hear hear to that
Hear Hear, victory to the Sask Party November 2011 all the way. The Sask Party should open their arms wide open to YOUNG Meili and Petersen candidates, there were thousands of them seriously rejected yesterday.
I don't trust Lingenfelter.
I don't trust Lingenfelter. Too bad the dictatorship continues. Ryan Meili would have revived the party and could have taken down Brad Wall. Majority of Saskatchewan people do not want Nuclear Energy. Hope Meili sticks around, he's what the province and the NDP party needs.
Meili only received 25% on
Meili only received 25% on the first ballot. Not a massive groundswell of support. Simply a matter of being in the right place at the right time and having two other campaigns that were incredibly weak. It's a bit rich for him to claim he can help heal the party if he wins a seat in the Legislature.