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In a significant political development, long-serving Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) Sean Casey from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, has publicly called for the resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as leader of the Liberal Party. Speaking candidly in an exclusive interview with Power and Politics, Casey expressed the frustrations he and many of his colleagues have felt for some time, both within the party and among their constituents. His statement comes at a pivotal time for the Liberal Party, with rumblings of discontent growing louder behind closed doors.
This marks the first time a veteran MP has publicly put his name and face to calls for a leadership change, sending shockwaves through a party already grappling with declining poll numbers and growing public dissatisfaction. With Trudeau in office for nearly a decade, many are wondering if the party can continue to win under his leadership or if it’s time for fresh blood at the helm.
Frustrations Boil Over
For weeks, reports of Liberal MPs privately voicing their frustrations with Trudeau’s leadership have surfaced. Leaks to the media and anonymous quotes have painted a picture of a caucus increasingly at odds with its leader. However, until now, no sitting MP had gone on record to openly question Trudeau’s leadership. That changed with Sean Casey’s interview, where he articulated the growing sentiment that the prime minister’s time may be up.
“I don’t think Justin Trudeau should stay on as Liberal leader,” Casey stated firmly. “My job has always been to project the voice of the people I represent in Ottawa… The message that I’ve been getting loud and clear, and more strongly as time goes by, is that it’s time for him to go. And I agree.”
Casey’s comments reflect a broader malaise that has taken hold of the Liberal caucus, particularly among those who are hearing more and more dissatisfaction from voters on the ground. The veteran MP revealed that the number one issue he now hears from constituents is not healthcare or the economy — issues that have traditionally dominated Canadian politics — but leadership. Casey noted that many voters have “tuned out” Trudeau and are calling for change.
Growing Discontent in the Liberal Caucus
While Casey’s public remarks may have come as a shock to some, they are only the latest in a series of troubling signs for Trudeau within his own party. Reports of internal discussions about leadership change have been circulating for weeks, and Casey confirmed that such discussions are indeed happening, with some MPs meeting privately to express their discontent.
“There are a lot of people who have concerns,” Casey said, acknowledging that while many MPs have reasons for not speaking out publicly, the number of those in favor of a leadership change appears to be growing. He hinted that there are efforts underway, with some MPs reportedly signing a pledge or drafting a letter to urge Trudeau to step down.
When asked about the scale of this discontent, Casey admitted that the sentiment for change is more widespread than many realize. “It’s wider than what meets the eye, honestly,” he said. “There are many who, for a myriad of reasons, are not expressing their concerns openly, but those who have come to the same conclusion as me seem to be becoming more emboldened with the passage of time.”
According to Casey, private meetings have taken place among disaffected MPs, with one gathering reportedly drawing more than 20 MPs. While he himself has not been part of these meetings, he acknowledged hearing secondhand accounts and noted that there is a real movement within the party for change. Estimates of those involved in this effort vary, with some reports suggesting that up to 40 Liberal MPs may be on board.
Constituent Concerns and Voter Fatigue
The growing call for change is not just coming from within the Liberal caucus. Casey made it clear that his position is driven by the feedback he is receiving from his constituents in Charlottetown. “There’s a general malaise. There’s a level of tiredness,” he said, describing the mood in his riding. “People have had enough. They’ve tuned [Trudeau] out, and they want him to go.”
One of the most telling parts of Casey’s interview was his account of conversations he’s had with voters who are now torn between their loyalty to their local Liberal MP and their desire for a new leader. “I can’t tell you the number of people that have said to me, ‘Sean, I’m afraid of [Conservative leader Pierre] Poilievre. I want to vote for you, but I can’t vote for Trudeau,’” Casey revealed.
This sense of voter fatigue with Trudeau is perhaps the most significant factor driving the internal dissent within the party. With the Liberals polling poorly and Trudeau’s approval ratings slipping, many MPs are worried that they will struggle to get re-elected if Trudeau remains at the top of the ticket. Casey’s remarks suggest that many MPs are hearing the same concerns from their constituents and are beginning to lose confidence in Trudeau’s ability to lead the party to victory in the next election.