Maverick Liberals Say Dion Still Has To Make Peace

Maverick Liberals Say Dion Still Has To Make Peace

Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 13:11

 

 

The leader of a splinter group of Liberals that publicly criticized the federal party for appointing Joan Beatty as its candidate in the by-election in Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River says he doubts recent history will quickly be forgotten.

 

Shoal Lake Chief Marcel Head says voters were clearly trying to send the Liberals a message last night with their weak showing at polling stations, and the Conservatives’ margin of victory.

 

Head says the first order of business for the party should be to hold a new nomination process.

 

However, he says either Beatty or Stephane Dion should step forward to mend fences with grassroots Liberals first.

 

But the president of the Saskatchewan Liberal Association says he hasn’t come across any information to suggest voters were trying to punish Beatty in yesterday’s by-election.

 

Frank Proto notes voter turnout was extremely weak in the other three by-elections held last night.

 

But he does acknowledge that Conservative supporters seemed well-prepared to exercise their vote and back their candidate.

 

Proto says he hopes the Liberals will be better prepared next time around.

 

He adds he plans to hold an annual general meeting for the riding association before a general election is called.