OTTAWA
(PoliticsWatch updated October 23, 2002 @ 9:10 a.m.) New Brunswick
Premier Bernard Lord announced today he will not run for the
Tory federal leadership, despite rumours he would trade in
provincial politics to succeed Joe Clark.
 "I
will complete my first mandate as Premier and seek a second one
from the people of New Brunswick in 2003," Lord said in a
press conference in Fredericton. "The door is not only
closed it is also locked," when talking about the Tory
leadership race.
Lord said his obligations
are to his family and New Brunswick, where an election for the
province will likely be called in the fall of 2003. He refuted
the National Post article that said he would resign as premier
in a few months to take a shot federal politics.
A new Tory leader will be
chosen at a convention in May or June. After question period Clark
said he understood Lord's decision, but there are other strong
candidates inside and outside the House of Commons.
"He would have been a
very good candidate, but there will be others," Clark said
in a scrum. "I think he will continue to play a very
constructive role in the activities of the country and our
national party."
Potential leadership
candidate Peter MacKay said Lord's absence means other
candidates will pick up momentum.
"It's going to be
incumbent upon any leadership candidate to get out there and
earn their support," the MP said in a scrum. "And
without Bernard Lord in the race sure that opens up more
possibilities."
So far the only person to
officially bid for the top spot is Heward Grafftey. Other
potential candidates include MPs André Bachand, John Herron,
Scott Brison and Calgary lawyer Jim Prentice.
Read today's related Web
stories:
'I
am not a saviour,' says Lord, bowing out
(National Post)
Lord
declines to join PC leadership race
(Globe and Mail)
Lord
confirms he won't run for Tory leader
(CTV)
Lord
won't run for Tories
(Toronto Star)
Tories
mourn loss of star leadership candidate
(CBC)
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