2004 Liberal Party of Canada infighting

The period between Paul Martin's assumption of the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada on November 14, 2003, and the 2004 federal election being called on May 23, 2004, saw a large amount of infighting within the party.

Related Topics:
Paul Martin - Liberal Party of Canada - November 14 - 2003 - 2004 federal election - May 23 - 2004

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Traditionally the Liberals have been the most unified of Canada's major parties. There was consierable internal fighting within the Progressive Conservative Party, especially during the leaderships of John Diefenbaker, Joe Clark, and Kim Campbell. More recently, the Canadian Alliance suffered highly public internal strife during Stockwell Day's leadership (see Democratic Representative Caucus. The Liberal Party, however, had traditionally seen heated but soon forgotten leadership contests that did not harm party unity. A notable exception was the period after John Turner was elected leader.

Related Topics:
Progressive Conservative Party - John Diefenbaker - Joe Clark - Kim Campbell - Canadian Alliance - Stockwell Day - Democratic Representative Caucus - John Turner

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Martin worked hard to become the clear successor to Jean Chrétien, ensuring that most of the institutions of the Liberal Party were controlled by his allies. The split opened wider, however, in the summer of 2002 when Chrétien tried to curtail Martin's open campaigning for the leadership. What ensued is of some debate. Martin claims that he was fired from cabinet by Chrétien, which is what was widely reported in the media, while Chrétien claims that Martin had resigned. In either case, Martin's influence in the party eventually forced Chrétien to announce his retirement and in December Martin was installed as leader.

Related Topics:
Jean Chrétien - 2002

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While the issue of the party leadership was settled, at the lower levels unprecedented intraparty warfare began. Most of Chrétien's loyal cabinet ministers were relegated to the backbenches. Ministers such as John Manley, Allan Rock, Don Boudria, and Sheila Copps, who had spent a decade running one of the most popular and successful governments in Canadian history, were reduced to minor roles, and many of them decided to leave politics for the private sector.

Related Topics:
John Manley - Allan Rock - Don Boudria - Sheila Copps

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Some Chrétien loyalists remained as backbenchers. In some cases, they were defeated in the riding nomination process, with widespread allegations of tampering by Martin supporters. Unlike in previous elections, incumbent Liberals were not automatically granted their local nomination.

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