The next leader of the Prince Edward Island New Democratic Party will have alot of work cut of for them.
Since the party began contesting elections in the 1974 election the party has only ever elected one Member of the Legislative Assembly. That was in 1996, when then leader Herb Dickieson won was riding of West-Point Bloomfield.
Under Dickieson's leadership the party fielded a full slate of candidates in the election. The first time the party was able to achieve that goal. Dickieson was the first third party Member of the Legislative Assembly in the provinces history. Prior to him being elected the province had never elected an MLA that was a non Liberal or Progressive Conservatives.
The party has failed to recapture what Dickieson had accomplished in 1996, and is looking for a course correction when a new leader is chosen next month at the annual general meeting.
Michelle Neill is too date the only candidate to announce her intentions to seek the leadership of the party. Neill a federal public service member, said in her campaign launch video, "As leader of the Island New Democrats I will be a strong voice in leading this party to be the change that Islanders need and desire.”
Candidates have until Sunday Night (March 13th) to file paperwork to run for the leadership, if no other candidate files their paper Neill will be declared acclaimed. The Prince Edward Island New Democratic Party leadership convention is set to take place on April 23 in Charlottetown.
Joe Bryne the former leader of the PEI NDP resigned as leader on September 1st, 2020 and the party has been without a captain since.