The MP for New Westminster-Burnaby announced Wednesday he’s stepping down as the NDP House Leader so he can decide whether to run for the party’s leadership next year.
In an exclusive interview with the NOW, Peter Julian said he is “seriously considering it” and that constituents from both communities have encouraged him to go for it.
“That’s wonderful. I feel very honoured that they feel I have the ability to do that,” he said. “But I need to speak with hundreds and hundreds of people to really be able to ascertain where people are coming from. … About the direction of our party and how they feel about the direction of the country.”
Julian, who’s held his seat for 12 years, said he wanted to step down as House Leader (a position he’s had for the last two-and-a-half years) to show people he’s taking the decision seriously.
“I know a lot of people will be approaching me. It does send a signal out there that these conversations have started. There will be people coming to me on the street, people sending me emails, people phoning the office.”
He added he hasn’t set a deadline for his decision.
“It’s not going to be an immediate decision, that’s for sure,” he said.
The NDP leadership election will be held sometime next October as a result of incumbent Tom Mulcair being rejected by the party in April.
Six months after the NDP lost the federal election, coming in third place behind the Liberals and Conservatives, Mulcair was ousted as party leader after he received only 48 per cent support at the NDP national convention.
