Liberal MP Wayne Long explains why he’s calling on Trudeau to step down

The first Liberal MP to publicly call for Justin Trudeau to step aside for a new leader says he thinks the party can still win the next election — as long as it renews itself.

Wayne Long, the MP for Saint John—Rothesay, sent a letter to fellow MPs Friday arguing that the voters are calling for a change of leader, and adding, “I agree.”

The New Brunswick MP said in an interview Saturday that he did not do that to sabotage the party but to help it — arguing that many Canadians want to “reconnect” with Liberal Party but don’t feel they can.

“I want to see us win the next election. And I think we can win the next election. For us to do that, we have to offer an alternative to Pierre Poilievre,” Mr. Long said.

“If we don’t do anything — whistle past the graveyard — we will get beat in the next election.”

“Consistently, I continue to hear, ‘I want to vote for you but I can’t.”

Mr. Long is a backbench MP with a reputation for speaking his mind, and he has already announced he will not run again in the next general election. He said he has already heard some commenters suggest that has left him free to hurt the party.

“I did not want to sabotage the party,” he said. “I did what I did because I love the party.”

He said he thinks there are other MPs who also think it is time for a new leader — Mr. Long does not support any potential contender yet — but he really doesn’t know how many.

“Do I feel that there are many who feel the same way? I do. But that’s for them to deal with.”

He has signed on to a letter from a group of Liberal MPs — penned by Calgary MP George Chahal — calling for an in-person caucus meeting to be held in the aftermath of the Liberals’ stunning June 24 by-election loss in the longtime stronghold riding of Toronto-St. Paul’s.

The small group of MPs sent the letter to Liberal caucus chair Brenda Shanahan requesting an immediate in-person meeting to discuss the byelection results. It said discussions with caucus colleagues have shown there is consensus a national discussion must take place. MPs say there is no caucus meeting currently scheduled with Mr. Trudeau. The Globe spoke to another MP who confirmed signing the letter to Ms. Shanahan. The Globe is not naming the individual because they are not authorized to speak publicly about internal party matters.

Mr. Trudeau faced new pressure Friday over his leadership after Catherine McKenna, who served in both the environment and infrastructure portfolios in Mr. Trudeau’s cabinet, said in a statement that the Liberal Party “isn’t about one person” and that the “Prime Minister has a legacy to be proud of but it’s time for new ideas, new energy and a new leader.”

Also on Friday, Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith, who represents the urban Toronto riding of Beaches-East York, said in a video that Liberal Party members should be given a say on the future of the party’s leadership.

Mr. Long said there is an opportunity to discuss the party’s future.

“Now that the skin is off the onion, we will be able to have some frank talk,” he said.

Mr. Long said he thinks many voters think Mr. Poilievre’s Conservatives have gone too far to the right and want to have an “opportunity” to vote Liberal.

“Look, I’ve got nothing but respect for Justin Trudeau, and the programs we put forward,” he said

“But we have to give Canadians a viable option to vote for us,” he said. “I think it is with a new leader, with a new vision, and I think, with a move more to the centre.”