Author: Darren Major

Three NDP MPs have called out the party’s executive and national council, claiming caucus wasn’t properly consulted in the recent selection of its interim leader. The party announced last week that veteran MP Don Davies would serve as interim leader after Jagmeet Singh stepped down following the party’s worst electoral performance in decades.But a trio of re-elected MPs — Leah Gazan from Manitoba, Lori Idlout from Nunavut and B.C.’s Jenny Kwan — wrote to the executive and national council just days after Davies was named interim leader saying they felt “excluded in the process.””Whatever else might be said about the process, it is clear by our own disappointment, that it failed to uphold democratic and transparent principles,” the letter reads.”After our historic loss, how we proceed forward matters. Selecting an interim leader in this fashion sets them up for failure, not success.”The Globe and Mail first reported on the MPs’ letter. CBC News has obtained a copy.The NDP dropped from 24 seats to just seven in the House after last month’s election. Singh himself came third in his riding.Council chooses interim leader, but must consult caucusAccording to the party’s constitution, the decision to appoint an interim leader falls to the national council — though it’s required to consult with caucus.The three MPs noted in their letter that while they individually spoke to NDP president Mary Shortall, they claim it wasn’t clear those conversations were meant to serve as the required consultations.”We expected a formal consultation and decision-making process to occur within the parliamentary caucus prior to a decision being taken by the council. Sadly, that did not happen,” the letter reads.”Questions about the process went unanswered. Suggestions to have an open process for MPs who were interested in the position were ignored alongside the suggestion that those interested be allowed to share their vision for interim leadership with council before a decision was made.”NDP MP Leah Gazan said on social media that she found out about the interim leader selection in the news.