Patrick Brown says he’s unlikely to overturn a disqualification from running for Conservative leader in time to run in the race, so he’ll vote for former Quebec premier Jean Sarres. The statement is part of a letter to supporters sent on Tuesday night, hours after Mr Brown’s national campaign co-chair endorsed Mr Charest as the best and most experienced choice for Conservative members. The letter from the campaign, released by spokesman Chisholm Pothier, says there is a “strong possibility” Mr Brown’s attempt to appeal the party’s ban will not succeed in time because members are now receiving their ballots and the winner will be announced on September 10th. “If this is the case, Patrick has been clear that he would support any new CCP leader other than Pierre Polievre,” the letter states. “If it comes down to it, he will vote for Jean Charest. He encouraged his supporters to continue to participate, do their research and make their own choice for the next party leader.” The letter says Mr. Charest “has the best chance of stopping the extremism of Pierre Poilievre,” but does not elaborate on Mr. Brown’s specific concerns about the Ottawa MP. Lawyers for Mr. Brown, currently mayor of Brampton, Ont., are trying to appeal his disqualification as a leadership candidate because of campaign finance irregularities. Earlier Tuesday, former MP John Reynolds, who was the national co-chair of Mr. Brown’s campaign, said Mr. Charest, who was Quebec’s Liberal premier from 2003 to 2012, is the best choice to unite the Conservative Party and form a national government. Without being specific, Mr Reynolds, a founding member of the Conservatives, said he was “deeply disturbed” by the divisions in the party and the negative publicity. “We must offer Canadians a positive, united and inclusive Conservative Party with a new, time-tested leader,” Mr. Reynolds’ statement said. “After watching this campaign unfold, it’s clear to me [Jean Charest] is now the only leadership candidate who offers the Conservative Party of Canada a forward-looking vision with an electable path to government.” He added that Mr. Charest, who was also a federal Progressive Conservative minister and party leader, is experienced and credible at a time when Canadians are looking for a serious alternative to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s “far-left, identity politics.” . In an apparent reference to Mr. Poilievre, who has promised to make Canada “the freest nation on earth,” Mr. Reynolds wrote: “The Conservative Party of Canada needs a leader who will offer Canadians bold ideas and solutions , not just empty calls for freedom.” Mr. Reynolds was the Member of Parliament for the BC riding of West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea in Sky Country from 1997 to 2006, representing the Reform Party, the Canadian Alliance and the Conservatives. At one point, he was the leader of the official opposition representing the Canadian Alliance. Mr. Reynolds was not available Tuesday for comment on his statement. Mr. Pothier said on Tuesday that the campaign was grateful for Mr. Reynolds’ experience, including during a conference call on Monday afternoon attended by Mr. Brown and hundreds of supporters. “He was very aware that Patrick was his first choice but, given the circumstances, he was announcing his support for Jean Charest today,” Mr Pothier said. “The Brown campaign’s appeals process continues. But Patrick himself was very clear: If he is not nominated at the end of the process, he will vote for Jean Sarres. Mr. Charest’s communications director, Michelle Coates Mather, said in a statement earlier Tuesday that his team was grateful for Mr. Reynolds’ support. Poilievre’s spokesman, Anthony Koch, said before the letter was released that the campaign would not comment on Mr. Reynolds’ endorsement of Mr. Charest. Mr. Brown’s campaign says it has sold 150,000 memberships, while Mr. Poilievre’s campaign says it has sold about 311,000. The Conservative Party has not confirmed any figures. Ontario MPs Scott Aitchison, Leslyn Lewis and Mr. Poilievre. Roman Baber, former Progressive Conservative member of the Ontario legislature. and Mr. Charest remain in the leadership race. For subscribers: Get exclusive political news and analysis by subscribing to Political information.
