B.C. NDP Member of Parliament Gord Johns expressed confidence that none of the seven New Democrats in the House of Commons would defect to the Liberal Party, despite acknowledging regular recruitment attempts by the Liberals. In an interview on CBC’s “Rosemary Barton Live,” Johns revealed that the Liberals have persistently approached him about switching sides, to which he has consistently declined over the years.
The recent high-profile departures from the Conservative Party, notably Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont joining the Liberals and Alberta MP Matt Jeneroux resigning from politics, have sparked speculation about potential further defections. With the Liberals just two seats away from a majority and facing an upcoming critical confidence vote on the federal budget, the door to the Liberal caucus remains open for potential new members.
Notably, NDP MP Johns emphasized that while factors like Prime Minister Mark Carney’s agenda may have enticed d’Entremont to switch allegiances, such influences would not sway the commitment of the New Democrats. Johns highlighted the strong social democratic values and dedication of the NDP MPs to their cause.
On the Conservative side, sources revealed that former Conservative campaign manager Jenni Byrne has been involved in efforts to prevent additional floor-crossings. Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer denied applying pressure on MPs to remain in the caucus, attributing Jeneroux’s resignation to alleged Liberal tactics. Scheer dismissed rumors of further defections, pointing to personal grievances as potential reasons for d’Entremont’s decision to leave the Conservative Party.
