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Despite a public show of solidarity, some Quebec Liberals express bitterness, frustration and the urgent need for new leadership.

Author of the article:

La Presse Canadienne

Jocelyne Richer

The political future of Quebec Liberal Leader Dominique Anglade seems increasingly uncertain, according to a survey of party members still reeling from their historic defeat in the Oct. 3 election.

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If the Liberals are publicly exhibiting a common front of support for Anglade, as was seen during last weeks caucus meeting in Yamachiche, things change dramatically once the cameras are pointed elsewhere. Some party members have expressed bitterness, frustration and an urgent need for new leadership.

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Over the past few days, Presse Canadienne interviewed a dozen Liberals, some of them longtime party members, who have worked with Anglade. The group included ex-MNAs, defeated candidates and one party official. All of them agreed to express their candid opinion on the condition their identities not be revealed.

Not one of those interviewed predicted that Anglade will be at the helm by the time the 2026 election is held. None said they would support her during a confidence vote at the next party convention, scheduled to be held within the next year. Some made it clear the only reason they are remaining party members is to oust her during the confidence vote.

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Should Anglades leadership survive that vote, it would be a tragedy for the party, said one ex-MNA who a few months earlier was working alongside the leader.

Many of those interviewed said concerns about Anglade were such that the scramble to find a new leader had begun even before the election campaign. She almost killed the Liberal party since becoming leader, said one former cabinet minister, who holds Anglade personally responsible for the partys misfortunes.

The Quebec Liberals recorded their worst electoral performance in history on Oct. 3, electing 21 MNAs 10 less than in 2018 and garnering just 14 per cent of the ballots cast, placing them in fourth place in the popular vote behind the Parti Qubcois and Qubec solidaire.

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That 10 per cent drop in votes compared with 2018 is part of a trend that has seen support for the Quebec Liberals plummet by 1.1 million votes since 2014 and francophone electors essentially disavow the party.

Faced with such catastrophic numbers, there are concerns in the party over whether it can survive any more battering.

The (Liberal party) is not immune to disappearing, said one candidate defeated in what was once a Liberal stronghold, while another asked: How much further can we sink?

Anglade, who has said she will remain leader, needs to be clear headed and do whats right for the party, one defeated candidate said.

She just isnt working out with voters or party members, said one former caucus member. The person said they knew of longtime Liberal supporters who decided to stay home on election day because Anglade was in charge.

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The former MNA said people didnt want to see her when she showed up in a riding during the campaign.

While acknowledging her abilities, many Liberals complained Anglade never succeeded in connecting with voters or the party base, with one saying she should leave for the good of the party.

Anglades leadership style left the Liberals interviewed for this story less than impressed. Their complaints included an inability to listen, a disconnect with Liberal values, an inability to attract new members or financing, the decision to appoint an inexperienced entourage and, most importantly, the neglect of the network of Liberal party volunteers, an organizational asset once described by former leader Jean Charest as the backbone of the party.

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Anglade had 2 1/2 years to prove herself and it didnt work, said one former MNA who initially supported her leadership but now calls for her departure, adding that a tense and toxic climate reigned in the party before the election was called. That assessment was shared by many other sources.

The decision by Anglade to campaign on her personality was a risky bet and one she lost, they said, adding that loss makes her departure inevitable.

Anglades decision over the past two years to point the Liberals toward a more nationalist and environmentalist bent left some party members no longer able to recognize their own party. At first, she betrayed the ideals of the party, said one former MNA, then she tried to regroup and change direction, but it was too late the damage had been done and trust in the party shaken. The dizzying chain of events ultimately left the identity of the Liberal party nothing more than a brand of yogurt, they said.

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At least one defeated candidate, having experienced a crap election campaign beset by organizational chaos, says the leadership review should be held sooner rather than later, ideally by next summer so the party can move on.

One thing is certain, said another ex-MNA: Anglade must establish her authority over her caucus. If not, shes done.

All the people interviewed denounced what they called the completely deficient organization of the election campaign.

While the Liberal machine was once able to mobilize its supporters across the province, it now has to scramble to find volunteers. About 20 riding associations have no president, and in certain ridings the president is over 80 years old.

The troops are unmotivated and demoralized, said one association president, noting an exodus of party workers.

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Another warning sign was that about 10 candidates were absent at the start of the campaign, something unheard of for the Liberals.

Those interviewed said they expected heads to roll because of the bungled campaign, particularly those of party director general Julie Martel, chief organizer Jean-Franois Helms and communications director Jrmy Ghio, all of them chosen by Anglade.

Meanwhile, the more cynical say Anglades job may be safe at the moment if only because theres no rush on anyones part to take it, although one former minister said phone calls are being made and the hunt for a saviour has begun.

But at the moment, few saviours seem to be around. MNA Andr Fortin had been approached to run in the last leadership race but declined for family reasons, and MNA Marwah Rizqy, who is expecting a child, also weighed the idea of seeking the leadership but ultimately decided against it.

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The party is now 'a brand of yogurt' and Anglade must go, disgruntled Liberals say - Montreal Gazette