Lenore Zann, MLA for Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River, told those gathered Sunday at the party’s electoral district annual general meeting that she plans to put her name forth.
“After our government lost the last election, there was some immediate talk about who would replace our party’s leader,” said Zann, following her announcement at the meeting. “A couple of people had named me in a that I would be a good candidate, but I wanted to gauge what the party was looking for, to see what the people and the province needs, and I personally wanted to do some soul searching to see if I felt I have what it takes to lead and have all that responsibility.”
Since the fall, however, Zann has been doing a lot of talking and listening around the province and it was after a social in Halifax on Friday where she said ‘yes’ to those asking if she was going to run.
Her announcement, however, is only unofficial as the rules for the leadership run won’t be in place until the spring, which is when she can then register.
Zann is one of seven NDP MLAs to win seats in the 2013 election, after which Darrell Dexter stepped down as leader of the party.
Since the Liberal government won in the last election, Zann has been watching to see how satisfied the electorate has been.
“Many people, not just in Nova Scotia but across Canada, are frustrated with politics and frustrated with politicians,” she said, adding that many think things will remain the same, no matter who they vote for or which party is in power.
“This is an auspicious time. It’s the Chinese New Year and the middle of winter, and the seeds are asleep in the soil just waiting to burst. I like that analogy – that in Nova Scotia, people’s hearts and souls are just pining to burst forth. People are sick of the same old, same old, and if I can give them the opportunity to put their support behind me, it’s an alternative opportunity for us to show other jurisdictions how things could work.”
Twitter: @TDNRaissa
