Liberal past meets Liberal present

About 22 years ago, I began my career as a federal political reporter and this was one of the stories in the news at the time.

Liberal youth wing abandoning Turner

Canadian Press

265 words

29 August 1987

 

Canadian Press

OTTAWA

The executive of the Quebec youth wing of the Liberal Party will ask for the resignation of party leader John Turner at a news conference scheduled for Monday in Montreal.

Time has run out for Mr. Turner, Denis Coderre, the president of the Young Liberals of Quebec , said in a telephone interview yesterday.

Mr. Coderre, once a strong Turner loyalist, co-ordinated the pro-Turner youth movement at the convention that confirmed Mr. Turner's leadership last November, and was also youth organizer during his 1984 leadership campaign.

Mr. Coderre, 24, plans to seek the Liberal nomination in the riding of Joliette in the next federal election campaign. The riding is currently held by Tory Roch LaSalle.

The youth leader said he believes it will be impossible for the party to make a comeback from its poor showing in the latest opinion polls if Mr. Turner remains as leader.

He said his past unconditional support for Mr. Turner has wavered following recent statements by party president Michel Robert, who said this week that Mr. Turner has very little time to turn things around, and the call by MP Alain Tardif on Thursday for Mr. Turner's resignation.

Asked who he would support for leader of the party, Mr. Coderre indicated he would back former leadership candidate Jean Chretien.

Mr. Tardif, the only MP so far to ask openly for the resignation of Mr. Turner, will meet today in Montreal with the caucus executive and on Sunday a full caucus meeting is scheduled in Ottawa.

Comments

[Dave]

Good old Bob Rae will do everything to destroy another political party just for power, well he is the Liberals headache now. Hey Iggy the city of Toronto isn't too well liked in Quebec, now they are calling the shots there.This is going to be the start of the ending for Iggy.

[gerald bryant]

Some say that Bob Rae should replace Michael Ignatieff. Bob Rae, leader of a political party - deja vue all over again Horrors !

[Mark]

Ms. Delacourt,
Thank you for this. It is a sign that Denis has had the courage to break with his loyalty when he felt the Party deserved better.

[Ken Price]

I see the hand of Bob Rae in all this. He has pushed Ignatieff into falling on his face, and believes he (Rae)will be annointed saviour of the LPC and the next Prime Minister.

[Jason Cherniak]

Is there any Liberal leader who Coderre has not tried to embarass since then?

[Moon Unit 2]

Thanks for posting, Susan; the irony in this is hard to beat.

[Wascally Wabbit]

One of the reasons I avoid going to the conventions any more.
Sick of seeing these rah rah boys and gals especially amongst the Young Liberals - take such black & white positions - A Good - B Bad - one hopes and expects they can grow out of it...but how old is M. Coderre now?

[Oscarh]

Good thing that Coderre stepped down - think he thought he was already the Liberal leader. Ignatieff should be happy - hopefully he doesn't appoint another Quebec lieutenant

[Thava Siva]

Mr. Harper and Tory's are this winners in this sad ending Liberal Drama. We now need a new Liberal leader from Quebec. Iggy may well go back to University. Viva Quebec.

[Bob London]

Watching the NDPers destroy the Libbies from within.