Interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen will not seek re-election

Interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen announced Tuesday that she will not seek re-election in the next general election, but is committed “in the immediate future” to continuing to serve as an MP. Ms. Bergen, who represents the Portage-Lisgar riding in Manitoba, said that serving her constituents for the past 14 years has been the honour of her political life.

Ms. Bergen also called her seven months leading the federal Conservative Party “incredibly gratifying and rewarding,” and she expressed support for the party’s next leader, who will be elected on Saturday.

“I will wholeheartedly be supporting whoever takes my place as leader after Sept. 10. I’m incredibly optimistic about the future of the Conservative movement in Canada. When Conservatives are strong and united, Conservatives win,” she said in a statement posted on Twitter.

Ms. Bergen was elected as an MP in 2008. She was a minister in Stephen Harper’s government, and served as Opposition House leader for four years, before she was appointed deputy leader of the party in 2020. (The Globe and Mail profiled Ms. Bergen in that role in 2021, which you can read here.)

On Tuesday, Conservative MPs reacted on Twitter to Ms. Bergen’s planned departure.

Dan Albas thanked the MP for her service, saying “the courage, integrity & kindness you have shown as a MP is an inspiration.” Jasraj Singh Hallan added that he was “grateful for Candice’s thoughtful, compassionate and unifying leadership.” Leslyn Lewis, who is a candidate in the Conservative leadership race, said she is grateful to Ms. Bergen for “her example of leading with unity, impartiality and grace.”

Source link