The Current

Greg Selinger's Manitoba defeat reveals importance of leadership and personality

As the Progressive Conservative's Brian Pallister celebrates a win and Greg Selinger carries the blame, The Current looks at how the personality of a party leader becomes the dominant factor - win or lose - in political outcomes.

Greg Selinger resigns as NDP leader

9 years ago
Duration 2:34
Greg Selinger has resigned as leader of the NDP, as the party's nearly 17-year stretch in government came to an end Tuesday night.

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Sixteen years of NDP rule in Manitoba is over. Progressive Conservative Leader  Brian Pallister becomes the new provincial premier, sending NDP leader Greg Selinger packing. 

Selinger has resigned as leader of the NDP effective immediately and has asked the party to appoint an interim leader.

Manitoba PC Leader Brian Pallister hugs his daughters as he enter his party's election victory party in Winnipeg, Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Pallister's Progressive Conservatives routed Premier Greg Selinger and the NDP to put an end to 16 years of orange power. (John Woods/Canadian Press)

The result may not have been a big surprise. Dissatisfaction with Selinger's leadership had been growing since an ill-received sales tax hike, and a party revolt that took place on his watch. 

But what stands out to some about the NDP's loss, in line with other elections, is just how important the party leader's personal brand has become in our politics — for good or for ill.    

Guests in this segment:

  • Quito Maggi, president and CEO of Mainstreet Research.
  • Susan Delacourt, long-time Parliament Hill observer and author of Shopping for Votes: How Politicians Choose Us and We Choose Them.
  • Daniel Veniez, former federal Liberal candidate and corporate director of Veniez Company, a financial advisory firm.

Do you vote for the party, leader or your local candidate? Are big leader brands bad for democracy?

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This segment was produced by The Current's Julian Uzielli, Shannon Higgins and Marc Apollonio.