Ajax-Pickering MP Mark Holland not running
Oct 21, 2008 - 10:05 AM
By Keith Gilligan
DURHAM -- Mark Holland is going to take a breath before deciding who to support in the Liberal leadership race.
With the announcement Monday by Stephane Dion that he's stepping down once a new leader is selected, Mr. Holland said he's going to follow the advise he gave colleagues. "Take a moment's pause and see who's there."
Mr. Dion made his announcement days after the Liberals were drubbed in the election, losing 19 seats. Saying he failed, Mr. Dion said, "I accept the results and move forward."
Conservative "propaganda cemented my image in the minds of the people," Mr. Dion said.
Mr. Holland was successful in retaining his Ajax-Pickering seat and he supported Mr. Dion's decision to stay on as leader until a new one is selected.
"There'll be a leadership convention in May, it looks like," he said, adding appointing an interim leader could have been damaging. "A number of people wanted the job and it could have been divisive."
During his press conference, Mr. Dion said the Liberal Party needed to undergo a review and to update its fundraising apparatus. "We have to bring our fundraising machinery into the 21st century."
Mr. Holland agreed, saying a review is necessary for the party to renew itself and "how we raise money."
Mr. Holland has ruled out a run for the leadership, saying, "I've been approached, but it's no, not this round. There are great people in the race. I have more to do before I consider that."
In the last leadership race, he was Gerard Kennedy's Ontario campaign manager. "He hasn't made up his mind" on whether he's running again, Mr. Holland said of Mr. Kennedy.
"We have to get moving. May isn't that far out, with all the people you have to sign up and the travelling."
His intention, he said, is to play "an active role" in the race.
Pickering-Scarborough East MP Dan McTeague didn't return a phone call.
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