Liberal leadership contender to give party a fresh face

The Liberal leadership raceis picking up steam, with long-time party member Dougald Lamont seriously considering throwing his hat in the ring.

Lamont is a writer and works at ZenFri, a local tech start-up in thedigital art and entertainment field. One of the reasons he's making the move now, he said, is because of the position Manitoba's Liberal party is in.

"I actually think it's a great opportunity for the party right now," he said.

'I'm 15 to 20 years younger than all of them. I'm 44.' Dougald Lamont

Last Saturday, the Liberals hosted an event to thank out-going leader Jon Gerrard for his leadership since 1998.

Lamont said the leadership race comes as the NDP is under increasing fire for its missteps, such as increasing the provincial sales tax without holding a referendum, and as the progressive conservatives move furtherto the right under Brian Pallister.

He said the last time the party was in a similar position was when the NDP under Howard Pawley collapsed, and the Liberals under Sharon Carstairs made huge gains.

Lamont said there's the same potential now for a generational change.

"It's me," he laughed. Lamont said he's different from other potential leadership contenders Bob Axworthy and Robert Young. Not to mention premier Greg Selinger and progressive conservative leader Brian Pallister.

"I'm 15 to 20 years younger than all of them. I'm 44," he said.

Lamont also has a young family offour children, fromtwo to 11 years old.

He said the next time Manitobans go to the polls, the political landscape could be in for big changes.

"The next election probably offers one of the best opportunities in a generation," he said. "For a whole series of reasons. One is that I think the NDP are worn out."

Younger contender could attract other leadership hopefuls

Lamont ran and lost to Greg Selinger in St. Boniface a decade ago. His grandfather was a liberal MLA in the 1930's and 1940's. So he'sbeen paying attention to politics for a long time.

'This is fabulous news for the liberal party.' Chris Adams, political analyst

"Governments have been trying neo-conservative ideas for the past 30 years, and they were all supposed to make everyone richer, create prosperity for everyone. And that has not happened," he said.

Lamont said the NDP have had 14 years to address inequality, especially income inequality.

"Manitobans need an alternative and need change and they shouldn't just have to ... say, 'Well, we don't want the PC's, so we're going to have to stick with the NDP who are tired out.'"

Political analyst Chris Adams said the entry of a younger candidate is a good sign.

"I think this is fabulous news for the Liberal party if this guy is putting his hat in the ring," he said. "Because it means it's able to attract people who are have a career of their own and might bring some ideas to the party."

Adams believesthe race will pick up even more steam.

"I expect that we'll see a couple of fresh faces coming into the race, people who are not just the old guard," he said.

Lamont said it's premature to talk about what riding he might run in.

He said first he has to finish the book he's writing, finalize the paperwork for the leadership race and then win it.

The liberal leadership convention is Oct. 26.