ROTHESAY — Just five days after giving birth to twins, and in-keeping with a pre-birth pledge, Clara Hennigan has resigned as a Member of Parliament.
However, in a twist of fate, Hennigan—who brought the NUDP into office almost a year ago—may now cost the party its majority government.
Hennigan was one of two previously independent MPs to ‘cross the floor’ (i.e. switch parties) in the Fall of 2022, causing the collapse of the minority Liberal Conservative Party government of then premier, Sir Ethan McAllister.
Indeed, it was Hennigan’s joining the New Ulster Democratic Party that saw them gain the fourth of seven seats in the House and, with it, New Ulster’s first majority government.
Her resignation on Wednesday will trigger a by-election in her riding of Kennebecasis—Quispamsis, where she served as one of three MPs.
Speaking about her resignation, Premier Sir Stephen Cameron praised Ms Hennigan, ‘Clara is one of those people who always does the right thing at the right time. Last year she saw the need for a change in direction and gifted this government its majority. All our hard work and progress since then has been possible because of her.’
He continued, ‘We’re, of course, sorry to see her go but this is one of those moments where she’s doing the right time at the right time. We wish her and her family all the love and luck in the months and years to come.’
‘We’re not worried’
Despite his government’s majority now being at risk, Premier Sir Stephen said the NUDP is confident it’ll win the forthcoming by-election.
‘We’re not worried,’ he said, ‘we have a solid record of delivering progress while in office and I think voters will see that and respond to it.’
The Premier wouldn’t be drawn on what will happen if his party loses, however. ‘We’re not going to speculate on hypotheticals and we’ll cross that bridge if we come to it but I honestly don’t think we will.’
History suggests, however, that Cameron may have a lot to worry about.
At the 2021 general election, Kennebecasis—Quispamsis was the only riding not to return a Democratic Party MP. In fact, it’s sole candidate in that riding at that election won only 14% of the vote, finishing last.
The caveat, however, is that the two independent MPs elected from in 2021—Autumn Hunter and Clara Hennigan—both later crossed the floor and joined the NUDP.
This time round, it’s unclear if any independent candidates will contest the riding. If the by-election is a straight run-off between the government and the opposition, it could well be all to play for.
Date undecided
As the NUDP are the party of the resigning MP, they will get to name the date of the by-election. As yet, they have not done so.
The Constitution requires the by-election be called within one month of the vacancy occurring and be held no later than one month after it’s announcement.
That puts the latest possible date for the by-election around November 14; almost a year to the day since the NUDP formed the government.
One source suggested, off the record, that mid- to late-October was the most likely date.
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