2022 Social Democrats of Insulaeia leadership election

 

2022 Social Democrats of Insulaeia leadership election

17 February - 17 March 2022
Registered	112,756
Turnout	92.1% 14.1%
Candidate Mary Thompson Sara Mahmood Running mate Henry Sillman Martha Pearson Popular vote 62,413 30,635 Percentage 60.1% 29.5%   Candidate Thomas Andrews Peter Erikson Running mate Bethany Richardson Ewan Markson Popular vote 5,712 5,089 Percentage 5.5% 4.9%
Leader before election Xavier Harris Elected Leader Mary Thompson

The 2022 Social Democrats of Insulaeia leadership election was triggered by the resignation of Xavier Harris. Harris resigned in January 2022 citing age and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following Harris's resignation five candidates announced their intention to stand. Four candidates were accepted and moved on to the member vote. The contest was won by Mary Thompson who became Leader and Prime Minister after securing 60.1% of the vote.

Xavier Harris was first elected in 2015 following the party's defeat in that years general election. Harris was previously served as Deputy Leader between 2010 and 2015. Harris would assemble a Shadow Cabinet which provided a strong response to the narrow governmental majority. The Party won a number by-elections between 2015 and 2017 causing the government to lose a majority. In 2017, Harris would announce a motion of no-confidence in the government which the opposition won. Harris would win the incoming general election. Following negotiations Harris formed a coalition with the Liberals creating a safe government majority. In 2019, the Government collapsed following a defeat of a bill in the House. The resulting general election saw the re-election of the coalition to a second term. In 2020, Harris was elected to a second term as Leader with 98.1% of the vote. In 2021, Harris confirmed that he would resign before the next general election. In 2022, Harris announced his resignation in a speech stating "I no longer think that I am the correct person for the job.

Following Harris's resignation five candidates announced their intention to run. Peter Erikson announced first stating his main priority fixing the immigration crisis. Mary Thompson announced her candidacy running on a platform of social issues with her priority being education. Thomas Andrews announced his campaign with the economy as his priority. Sara Mahmood announced her intention to run on the platform of taxes. Henry Sillman initially ran on a platform of the youth but withdrew to support Thompson. Andrews, Erikson, Mahmood, and Thompson were nominated by the parliamentary party with Thompson receiving the most nominations. Over the course of the campaign a total of 6 debates were held with Thompson coming out as the front runner each time. Voting opened on 16 February and lasted to 16 March. The vote method used was the ranked choice voting system. Thompson won the contest with 60.1%

Timeline

• 17 January: Harris resigns
• 18 January: Erikson announces candidacy
• 19 January: Thompson announces candidacy
• 20 January: Andrews and Mahmood announces candidacies
• 21 January: Sillman announces candidacy
• 22 January: INTV debate
• 23 January: Sillman withdraws
• 24 January: Nominations open
• 25 January: Nominations close
• 26 January: PTVN debate
• 28 January: Social Democrats organised debate
• 31 January: Channel 9 debate
• 5 February: INN debate
• 7 February: Real News debate
• 16 February: Voting opens
• 16 March: Voting closes
• 17 March: Thompson is announced as the winner

Candidates

Nominated

Portrait	Candidate	Political Experience	Constituency	Running Mate	Campaign
	Thomas Andrews	Minister for the Regions (2017-2023) Deputy Minister for Equality (2002-2004) Junior Minister for Disabled Rights (2002-2004) Junior Minister of Foreign Affairs (1998-2002)	MP for Reading North since 1996	Bethany Richardson	20 January 2022
	Peter Erikson	Chair of the House Immigration Comitee (2016-2022)	MP for Oldgate Newfield since 2008	Ewan Markson	18 January 2022
	Sara Mahmood	Minister for Equality (2019-2022) Deputy Minister for Equality (2017-2019)	MP for Cambridge East since 2010	Martha Pearson	20 January 2022
	Mary Thompson	Minister for Health (2019-2022) Minister for Education (2017-2019) Chair of the House Education Committee (2013-2014)	MP for Orkbury since 2008	Henry Sillman	19 January 2022

Withdrew

• Henry Sillman, Minister for Transport since 2019; MP for Oldgate South since 2011 (endorsed Thompson)

Potential candidates who did not run

• Robert Banks, Minister for Culture since 2018; MP for Wessex (Tamworth) since 2004 (endorsed Thompson)
• Sally Hunter, Minister for Education since 2019; MP for Reading East since 2010 (endorsed Thompson)
• Otto Macdonald, Minister for Business since 2017; MP for Cidbury North since 2010 (endorsed Thompson)

Declined

• Charles Arthurson, Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2017; MP for London since 2004 (endorsed Thompson)
• Rebecca Edwards, Minister for the Economy since 2018; MP for Exeter North since 2008 (endorsed Mahmood)