Grits look at fast track for new leader

Party hopes to move vote to mid-January from May

Two-way race?

There were also hints that New Brunswick MP Dominic LeBlanc, the third candidate in the leadership race, is considering withdrawing from the competition, perhaps as early as today.

Published: December 08, 2008 5:54 a.m.

Last modified: December 07, 2008 11:57 p.m.

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Federal Liberals have come up with a proposal to fast track their leadership contest to have a replacement for Stéphane Dion in place by late January for a key vote in Parliament.

While Dion was not due to be replaced as leader until May, Liberals now appear unanimous that the timetable must be moved up in light of the parliamentary crisis.

When Parliament returns late January, a key vote could spark a new election or see a Liberal-led coalition take power from Stephen Harper’s Conservatives.

As a result, Liberals are now considering a proposal to let party members vote in January using telephone and online ballots on the choice of new leader, a Liberal source said.
The deadline to sign on new party members would be moved up to early January, with the vote held mid-month.

The vote would be “ratified” at the leadership convention already scheduled for May, although the leader would take over next month.

The idea, which draws on the process already on the books for a leadership review, was floated by the party executive over the weekend and has the support of contender Bob Rae.

But the proposal also sets the stage for a showdown between Rae and rival Michael Ignatieff, who reportedly wants Liberal MPs to make the leadership choice, perhaps as early as this Wednesday.

A vote by the caucus would give Ignatieff an edge since he is believed to have the support of a majority of MPs.