B.C. NDP Member of Parliament Gord Johns expressed high certainty that none of the seven New Democrats in the House of Commons would defect to the Liberal Party, despite acknowledging regular advances from the Liberal camp. Johns revealed that the Liberals have persistently approached him with recruitment attempts, to which he consistently declines, emphasizing that this ongoing interaction has been a norm for years.
The recent high-profile exits from the Conservative Party have sparked discussions on potential defections in Parliament. Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont left the Tory caucus to join the Liberals, citing issues with Pierre Poilievre’s leadership. Following this, Alberta Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux announced his resignation, dispelling rumors of a potential move to the Liberal side, and instead opting to exit politics altogether, denying any coercion from the Conservatives as a factor.
With the Liberals now just two seats away from a majority and an imminent confidence vote on the federal budget looming, speculations are rife about possible further dissent within the ranks. The Liberal Party has made it clear that they are open to welcoming any Member of Parliament willing to support their crucial budget initiatives.
While the allure of the Liberal agenda may have enticed d’Entremont to switch sides, New Democrat MP Johns affirmed the steadfast commitment of the NDP members to their progressive ideals and cause, highlighting their strong social democratic principles.
Contrary to speculation, Conservative sources have refuted claims of employing pressure tactics to prevent additional defections. Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer dismissed allegations of exerting pressure on MPs to maintain caucus unity, pointing the blame at the Liberals for influencing Jeneroux’s decision to step down.
Amidst the political turmoil, Scheer called out d’Entremont for what he perceived as personal grievances driving his exit from the Conservative Party, citing dissatisfaction with not being appointed as the deputy Speaker and disapproval of Scheer’s online content. Scheer downplayed these reasons as unsubstantial grounds for a significant political shift.
