UM TodayNDP – UM Today

The Canadian Press: NDP beat Conservatives in federal byelection in Winnipeg, NDP keep longtime Winnipeg seat in byelection

Fiona Odlum — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 18:47:15 +0000

The seat became open after three-term member of Parliament Daniel Blaikie resigned in March to take a job with the Manitoba government.

A political analyst the NDP is likely relieved to have kept the seat in what has been one of their strongest urban areas.

Christopher Adams, an adjunct professor of political studies at the University of Manitoba, says NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh worked hard to keep the seat in a tight race.

“He made a number of visits to Winnipeg, so if they had lost this riding it would have been disastrous for the NDP,” Adams said.

To read the full article, please visit The Canadian Press.

Winnipeg Free Press: Singh to hit the hustings in city riding NDP can’t lose

Fiona Odlum — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 14:05:05 +0000

In Elmwood-Transcona, Conservative candidate Colin Reynolds, an electrician who didn’t reply to requests for comment from the Free Press, is in a too-close-to-call race with Dance.

“If it’s a (win) for the Conservatives, it will matter a lot to them and it will show that Poilievre is able to reach into different parts of our society, but if the NDP loses the seat, I think it’ll be a blow to the NDP,” said Chris Adams, an adjunct professor of political science at the University of Manitoba.

“If they lose this, it will be of concern to Jagmeet Singh’s supporters,” he said.

To read the full story, please visit the Winnipeg Free Press.

Winnipeg Free Press: Wyatt pondering federal bid to replace Blaikie

Fiona Odlum — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 19:22:48 +0000

Transcona is typically a safe riding for the NDP, noted Christopher Adams, an adjunct professor in political studies at the University of Manitoba..

The open seat will likely draw many prominent NDP and Conservative players, Adams forecasted.

Lawrence Toet was MP for Elmwood-Transcona from 2011 to 2015. He lost to Blaikie in 2015 by 61 votes. Toet is again door-knocking in the area, said Adams, who lives in Transcona.

Even if Wyatt decides to try federal politics, there is no guarantee he’ll be nominated, Adams said. Card-carrying party members must vote for a candidate before they run for an election.

“Russ Wyatt represents what he wants to represent — he’s never toed a party line,” Adams said. “He really is a maverick.”

Political parties require their elected officials to follow the leader and policies of the group, Adams continued. During a federal election, speaking off script is a “liability.”

“Russ Wyatt — he’s been his own politician for so long, I just can’t see it happening, to be honest,” said Royce Koop, a University of Manitoba political studies professor. “He’s used to doing his own thing.”

Still, Wyatt is popular and draws people to the ballot box, both Adams and Koop said.

“If there’s an open nomination contest for either party, I would say he’s in a strong position to win it,” Koop said.

To read the full story, please visit Winnipeg Free Press.