WINNIPEG — More cabinet ministers added their voices Tuesday to calls Premier Greg Selinger step down, citing plummeting public support for the NDP government.
“I think there’s a lot of evidence and a lot of realization that there are many people in Manitoba that are angry with Greg Selinger,” Andrew Swan told reporters in his office at the Manitoba Legislature Tuesday morning.
Health Minister Erin Selby also weighed in, telling CJOB “People are angry, they feel the premier has broken their trust.”
Critics of Selinger say the unpopular decision to hike the provincial sales tax in 2013, despite election promises not to, is hurting the NDP in the polls and drowning out the government’s other messages. Swan didn’t outright say Selinger should quit but, like three other ministers before him, Swan strongly suggested it.
“I’m very worried that if things remain as they are, the next election becomes a referendum on Greg Selinger,” Swan said.
Finance Minister Jennifer Howard and Municipal Government Minister Stan Struthers made similar comments to Global News on Monday. Health Minister Erin Selby reportedly also suggested Selinger’s time is up as premier and NDP leader.
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Swan wouldn’t say exactly how many members of the 36-strong NDP caucus share those feelings.
“There are other members of the cabinet and members of our caucus that are very concerned we are unable to talk about things we’ve accomplished and get people to see the real risk of moving to a (Progressive Conservative) government,” he said.
Another high-profile cabinet member, Jobs and Economy Minister Theresa Oswald spoke out Tuesday saying she has had conversations with Selinger about polls numbers and the decisive defeat of prominent NDPer Judy Wasylycia-Leis in Winnipeg’s mayoral election last week. But she refused to say what was said or what she thinks Selinger should do, only saying “he will keep the best interests of Manitobans at heart as he makes this decision.”
“People are losing sight of the fact that Premier Selinger is actually a human being and that this I’m sure has been extremely difficult for him,” Oswald said.
What had been whispered doubts about Selinger’s future as leader turned into open discussion Monday when former cabinet minister and current party executive member Becky Barrett suggested Selinger consider stepping down. That prompted serving ministers to begin declaring their views on the subject.
Some have come to Selinger’s defense, including Education Minister James Allum, Family Services Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross and retired MLA Rosann Wowchuk.
The other question hovering over the crisis on Broadway is who might replace Selinger as NDP leader and premier should he step down. Oswald, wbo is often considered a potential successor, sharply refused to discuss leadership aspirations.
“I believe a conversation about a leadership race, my candidacy, other peoples’ candidacy, campaigns and so on, is really falling into the column of wholly disrespectful,” Oswald said.
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