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Manitoba NDP tout unity after two-day retreat

File / John Woods / The Canadian Press

WINNIPEG — Manitoba’s governing New Democrats have emerged from a two-day caucus retreat, saying they are united and prepared for the next election despite low poll numbers.

Jennifer Howard, one of five former cabinet ministers who challenged Premier Greg Selinger’s leadership last year, says the party has put its disagreements behind it.

READ MORE: Premier announces new cabinet after 5 ministers resign

Education Minister James Allum says caucus has learned that campaigns matter and can turn around political fortunes.

He also signals that an advertising blitz will come this fall, ahead of the provincial election slated for April.

Allum says the NDP has an obligation to tell people what it stands for and contrast it with the position of the Opposition Progressive Conservatives.

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It was at last year’s caucus retreat that the internal revolt erupted, leading to a leadership challenge that Premier Greg Selinger barely survived.

READ MORE: Greg Selinger keeps job as premier after NDP leadership convention

The NDP has been showing below 30 per cent in the polls — well back of the Tories — since the government broke a promise and raised the provincial sales tax in 2013.

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