Ryan Meili Takes The Spotlight
Ryan Meili Takes The Spotlight
Political newcomer surprised at NDP convention
NewsTalkRadio
Sarah Mills
June 6, 2009
As he even joked about in his concession speech, Ryan Meili started the four candidate NDP race, as "that Saskatoon doctor".
It appears he will be remembered, at least for now, as the man who made Dwain Lingenfelter's expected easy win not so simple. Meili received 45% to Lingenfelter's 55% of the vote, having gained the support of Deb Higgins and Yens Pederson when they dropped out after the first ballot. News Talk Radio had live coverage of the convention as the drama played out.
Meili admits the split is evidence that there are a lot of people with different ideas of where the NDP should be heading.
The move of the other supporters to back Meili rather than Lingenfelter may indicate cracks exist, in a party where they're usually very hard to see. Meili says it will be up to Lingenfelter to reach out to those who didn't vote for him.
His advice to his new leader? Reach out to the younger, more progressive side of the party and work to re-build it, emphasizing unity and rejuvenation. Meili says he can help, if he's able to find a seat in the Legislature.
Meili expects to decide this weekend whether to run in Lorne Calvert's riding Saskatoon riding of Rivdersdale. Lingenfelter has made it clear he wants to be based out of Regina. The question seems to be not so much whether, but when a Regina New Democrat will step aside for Lingenfelter to run.
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