Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Toronto, A so-called “grassroots movement” urging Doug Ford to run for the leadership of the provincial Progressive party has begun with the rollout of a slick website and a pair of social media accounts.
It is not immediately clear who is behind the campaign, but in a press release sent out Wednesday morning the group, known as Draft Doug Ford, described themselves as Greater Toronto Area residents “who feel that Doug Ford would be the only person who can renew the party.”
There is no contact information attached to either the press release or the website, suggesting the participants may wish to remain anonymous.
“Doug Ford is the only person who can get Ontario back on track, make us a have-province again, negotiate labour contracts that are fair for everybody, and find real savings for families and individuals in Ontario,” the release said.
Ford has previously told CP24 that he is considering running for the leadership of the Tories, noting that there is a “7 out of 10 chance” that he’ll throw his hat into the ring ahead of a January 30 deadline to register.
Ford has also discussed a need to shake up the party in the past, telling reporters after the provincial election in June that the Tories need “an enema from top to bottom”
On the website ‘Draft Doug Ford’ visitors are urged to sign a petition urging the defeated mayoral candidate to run, noting that Ford can “save the Ontario PC party.”
The launch of the website along with a Facebook and Twitter account comes on the heels of a Forum Research poll that suggested that Ford would begin the leadership race in second with 24 per cent support compared to 34 per cent for frontrunner Christine Elliott. MPP Lisa MacLeod was at 7 per cent while the other three candidates (MPPs Vic Fedeli and Monte McNaughton and MP Patrick Brown) each had five per cent support.
