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The former leader of the New Democratic Party of P.E.I. has crossed party lines.

In a Facebook post, former NDP Leader Mike Redmond said he would be supporting the Dennis King PC party by voting for District 2 Georgetown-Pownal candidate Steven Myers in next week’s provincial election.

I have watched with interest all the Parties put out their list of candidates, and platforms. Great to see the universal... Posted by Michael Redmond on Sunday, April 14, 2019

Redmond, who resigned from politics in December 2017 after five years of leading the party, pointed to the PC “First 1,000 Days” funding pledged for early childhood development as the “single biggest investment we can make on P.E.I.”

He also praised Myers’ record on fighting rural hospital and school closures as well as advocating for better roads and for unincorporated residents during amalgamation.

Redmond said Myers was “first-class” and that he was the “first person to share a coffee at my kitchen table” after he stepped down as NDP leader.

“This man has integrity, is well grounded and, for me, he is a fighter. In these times of multiple stresses on our farmers, fishermen and small rural communities, we simply cannot afford less.”

Redmond said he watched all parties put out their candidates and platforms. While he endorsed Myers, he also said it was great to see a universal breakfast and lunch program featured in multiple platforms, as well as to see three party leaders committed to proportional representation.

“I am a detailed person, so costed platforms are important to my family. Moreover people who fight tooth and nail to preserve our rural way of life is a measure of a politician I hold in the highest regard.”