McFadyen scopes out support for Tory run
Last Updated: February 9 2006 02:14 PM CST
A long-time political advisor for the provincial Conservatives is taking the pulse of western Manitoba before he decides if he will throw his hat into the party's leadership race.
Hugh McFadyen recently won a byelection for the Tories in the Fort Whyte constituency in southwest Winnipeg.
He spent the morning talking to Tories in Brandon, then headed to Minnedosa and Neepawa to gauge his support there.
"I'm very encouraged by the support I've been offered at this stage of the game and looking forward to ongoing discussions with people in Brandon and the Westman part of the province," he said.
"It is important for the party to regenerate itself, to look forward in terms of the ideas that we're going to propose, to bring new people in, maybe people who have never been involved in our party before. That's my objective, is to really renew it vigorously."
McFadyen said he'll decide in the next week or two whether he will run.
Another possible contender, Portage-Lisgar MP Brian Pallister, has also been holding community meetings in rural areas of the province before making a decision.
Tories will choose a successor to current leader Stuart Murray in April.