We pledge to not blab to the media

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This article was published 31/03/2015 (3307 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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A signed public declaration stating they won’t leak confidential caucus information to the media, and they’ll snitch on those who do, is one way NDP MLAs can work together again in peace.

That’s how NDP backbenchers Rob Altemeyer and Dave Gaudreau described their pledge of solidarity, which they released Tuesday and left indefinitely in the NDP caucus room at the Manitoba Legislative Building for other MLAs and party members to sign.

“It’s not a requirement,” Altemeyer said. “This is not mandatory. It’s just Dave’s and my way of responding to what we found was a bit of an uncomfortable and inaccurate situation.”

Altemeyer’s reference was to a recent Free Press story that said little progress has been made in reuniting the party.

Both MLAs said the feedback they’ve received so far is the pledge is a positive step forward to reunite the party after a divisive leadership battle that saw Premier Greg Selinger affirmed as the party’s leader.

“We’re not a witch hunt,” Gaudreau said. “We’re not looking for anybody to do this. We’re just saying to people it’s time to come together and unite.”

One former staff member called the pledge childish. “It’s about condemning anyone who in the past revealed confidential information to the press,” Tom LaPorte said. “Dave and Rob show themselves to be anti-conciliation, childish and bullies once again.”

LaPorte worked for former cabinet minister Theresa Oswald in her leadership bid. His position was recently eliminated. LaPorte said the pledge appears to be another attack on Oswald and the four other ministers who resigned with her last November in protest of Selinger’s leadership.

Altemeyer and Gaudreau’s pledge did not generate a lineup of people to sign it Tuesday. Multiculturalism Minister Flor Marcelino indicated she would sign it. A spokeswoman for Finance Minister Greg Dewar said he would also sign the pledge.

Besides Oswald, the dissidents who called for Selinger to step down as premier last fall include former cabinet ministers Andrew Swan, Stan Struthers, Jennifer Howard and Erin Selby, and MLA Clarence Pettersen. All were expelled from caucus. MLA Christine Melnick has also been on the outs with the NDP caucus.

On Tuesday, only Melnick and Howard responded to a query about the pledge, and both declined comment.

In a statement, Selinger’s office said the premier wants caucus reunited as soon as possible. “All ministers, MLAs and staff made a pledge when they took their oaths of office or signed an employment contract,” the statement said. “If there are staff or MLAs who wish to sign the pledge, they are welcome to do so, but certainly there is no requirement from the premier or caucus that they sign.”

bruce.owen@freepress.mb.ca