OTTAWA — Veteran New Democrat MP Nathan Cullen has opted to back Ontario legislator Jagmeet Singh to replace Tom Mulcair as party leader, saying he is not concerned that Singh does not hold a seat in the House of Commons.
Cullen, who himself ran against Mulcair in 2012, said Wednesday he is confident the existing team of 44 MPs in the House — including the three MPs running for leader — can hold the Liberal government to account while Singh spends time leading up to the next election connecting with Canadians.
Singh has left the door open to running in a byelection, noting he's open to ideas on "where it makes sense to run."
In 2015, the NDP was cheered for its work in the Commons prior to the election, but Justin Trudeau triumphed despite spending less time on the floor of the House, Cullen said.
It's an honour to have the support of MP @nathancullen, dedicated environmentalist and leading national advocate on electoral reform #ndpldr pic.twitter.com/VdTmkdWuao
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) September 20, 2017
"Voters, in the end, determined they had a relationship and understood his policies better than they did ours, so he's prime minister," he said. "I have no concerns at all today as I stand with Jagmeet about the concept of us going through to the next election with the incredible team that we have talked about."
Jack Layton did not have a seat when he became leader, Cullen added.
Cullen's comments and endorsement came after Mulcair said it would be a "heck of a lot better" if his successor had immediate access to the Commons in order to face off with Trudeau.
"I think it's important to have a seat in the House of Commons if we're leading a political party," Mulcair said Tuesday. "I think that ideally, you know, you should be there."
Mulcair also said questions about his lack of a federal seat came up quickly when he became Layton's Quebec lieutenant, prompting him to run in a federal byelection in 2007.
Thank you for your support, Keith! Really looking forward to what we can accomplish, together. https://t.co/5fd0GinmL5
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) September 20, 2017
Thanks, Brandon! Honoured to have your support https://t.co/uiT0eJuIVq
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) September 20, 2017
Singh's fellow leadership contender Charlie Angus, an Ontario MP, has also stressed the importance of the next leader having a seat.
"I was surprised that Jagmeet said he didn't think he needed to be in Parliament until 2019," Angus said Monday in an interview.
"That's his choice ... my focus is Parliament, what we are going to do there and the building on the ground from that."
Voting for a new federal NDP leader began on Monday, with the winner to be declared some time next month.
The other candidates are Manitoba MP Niki Ashton and Quebec MP Guy Caron.
Singh has been able to garner the most support from the current federal caucus — a total of 11 MPs, including Cullen.
Cullen said Wednesday that Singh's commitment to issues including electoral reform and climate change helped to cement his decision.
Caron has the backing of eight MPs, while Ashton has received nods from five. Angus is supported by two.
