Says there was not enough support for run of her own

Sarnia-Lambton MP Marilyn Gladu says she won’t be running for leader of the Conservative Party.

Gladu, who ran in the race which lead to Erin O’Toole’s leadership, endorsed the first and so far only MP to declare their leadership, Pierre Poilievre.

Gladu tells The Independent after O’Toole stepped down, she put her name forward for the Interim Leader’s position, however she didn’t have the support of caucus. She added it was also clear after voicing concerns about the way the last leadership race was handled, the party did not want her on the ballot.

Gladu adds Poilievre seems to have a good grassroots organization.

“Usually the grassroots determines the policy and we fine tune it into programs and election platforms. And I think Pierre has a desire to go back that way and have the grassroots have the say, so I would expect that there will be a lot of dialogue, once he’s leader about what our policy direction changes will be,” she says. O’Toole was widely criticized for his policy on carbon pricing during the September election which went directly against a grassroots stand on the carbon tax.

While Gladu endorsed Poilievre, who is seen as the front runner, she still wonders whether he will be able to expand the party’s reach outside of the tradition grassroots supporters.

“Pierre is very popular here in Sarnia-Lambton; he’s been here a number of times, people love him. I think I’ve even people on my riding association if they had to choose to vote for Pierre or vote or for me, they would vote for Pierre,” Gladu says with a laugh. “It’s not that they don’t like me and it’s not that they don’t support me, but he is a bit of a strong performer in the house and they do really like that.

“He’s very popular with the base and the challenge for Pierre is going be to expand the base, and to relate to other folks….The House of Commons is a bit of political theater – so it’s fine to be successful there. But I would say, Pierre has really matured over the time that I’ve known him.”

It’s not clear when the leadership race will be held. Gladu says it could be by the end of the year.