Advertisement

Bob Rae plays coy as seven think of entering Liberal leadership race

Few people in Ottawa think Bob Rae won't run for the permanent leadership of the Liberal Party. But, for whatever reason, Rae continues to play coy about his future intentions.

Last month, he stoked media speculation after an interview with a P.E.I. newspaper.

"There's going to be a contest for the leadership," Rae told the Journal Pioneer on April 14.

"It's not going to be a coronation for the leadership. It's going to be a very competitive, open race. I'm just waiting to hear whether or not I'm allowed to participate in it."

Rae backtracked on Tuesday.

"I have made no decision on anything, and won't until the party decides," he told the Huffington Post.

"Don't assume anything."

Meanwhile, at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Liberal Party president Mike Crawley outlined some components of the party's new supporter category. The new category allows non-members to vote for the next leader.

"You simply go to the website — Liberal.ca — and you provide your name and email address and you will become a [supporter]," he said Tuesday.

"Prior to the [leadership] vote, we will come back and register each supporter to ensure they live where they say they live and they are who they say they are, to ensure there is integrity in the voting."

Supporters will also have to declare that they're not a member of another political party.

With regards to the 'Rae issue' Crawley says the party's board of directors will meet in early June to decide whether or not he can run.

"I think it's clear that there's lack of clarity around whether or not there's a commitment that prevents him from running or not," he said.

"It will be good for the party, good for the leadership process, to bring clarity to that before the candidates declare."

Another committee will meet in late June to develop race rules including spending limits and registration fees.

Crawley says, to date, six to seven prospective candidates have spoken to him about the possibility of running.