Conservative caucus is ready to call leadership review on Erin O’Toole

OTTAWA — Conservative MPs are set to launch a vote on Erin O’Toole’s future as party leader after months of private and public infighting over his suitability to lead the party to government.

Multiple sources tell the Star that at least 35 MPs support a call for a vote on O’Toole’s leadership, a process that could be launched as early as this Wednesday.

Efforts to get enough MPs to enforce a leadership vote have been underway since the Conservatives failed to form a government in the 2021 election.

As recently as last Friday, sources told the Star that those who oppose O’Toole’s stay are still giving up their time, trying to increase the number of supporters behind them and then waiting for the right moment to vote.

However, nerves were shattered after last week’s caucus meeting and the announcement of the results of the party’s internal election survey to MPs, many of whom felt it did not go far enough to punish O’Toole for his performance in the 2021 election. not.

Calgary MP Bob Benzen – who endorsed O’Toole for leadership – made his decision to ask for a review as a result of the report, but listed a legion of grievances dating back to the election.

“I feel the Conservative caucus has given Mr O’Toole more than enough opportunities for a rate correction to address the concerns of many of our party’s grassroots members,” he said in a statement.

“I believe a caucus leadership review is the only way to avoid a dangerous split in the Conservative Party that may not be repairable.”

MPs seek to oust O’Toole through the Reform Act, a piece of legislation that gives them some power over how their parliamentary caucus works.

To launch a leadership review, 20 percent of MPs must sign a written notice to the caucus chairman.

With 35 of the 119 Conservative MPs already believed to be supported, that threshold has been exceeded.

The next step will be a secret ballot by all MPs, and if a majority votes to replace the leader, he will be expelled immediately.

More to come.