When Justin Trudeau became leader of the Liberal Party of Canada on April 14, 2013, he took the helm of a caucus of 35 MPs — the smallest contingent in the party’s history. Twenty-four of those MPs had endorsed him during the leadership campaign.
Some 4,210 days later, the Liberal caucus gathered for its usual Wednesday morning meeting. There, the prime minister was told that 24 MPs believe it’s time for him to step aside as leader.
Two dozen MPs would have accounted for fully two-thirds of the Liberal caucus in 2013. That they now account for just a sixth of the current caucus is a testament to the success the party has enjoyed under Trudeau’s leadership over the last 11 years.
But it’s still a blow to a prime minister who was already trailing in the polls and facing the daunting challenge of winning a fourth mandate.
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