Cleophas James "Cle" Newhook (June 3, 1943 – March 2, 2018) was a Canadian theologian, author and politician in Newfoundland and Labrador. He was the leader of the provincial New Democratic Party from 1989 to 1992.
Early life and background
Newhook was born on June 3, 1943 in Norman's Cove, Trinity Bay to Ernest Newhook and Elizabeth (née Smith). He studied theology at the University of Oxford and spent five years as an Anglican priest in England, where he directed community educational and development programs in inner cities. In this capacity, Newhook was a chair of the British Association of Settlements and Social Action Centre.Cle Newhook (biography) 2006 Electoral Districts Boundary Commission, Newfoundland and Labrador, accessed February 18, 2008."Newfoundland NDP elects longtime aide as new leader," Toronto Star, March 19, 1989 He was also a marketing consultant and the director of Landscape Newfoundland and Labrador.
University administrator
Newhook was a university administrator as co-ordinator of student services at Memorial University as well as the university's chaplain. He was best known for being the director of the Ocean Ranger Families Foundation, a non-profit foundation established after the 1982 oil rig disaster that killed 84 men. The foundation organized the victims' families so that they could be represented at a public inquiry and lobbied for legislative changes to prevent future oil rig disastersYaffe, Barbara, "Peckford PCs likely winners in by-elections," Globe and Mail, December 5, 1986Spears, John, "Miners' kin fear probe will bury truth", Toronto Star, August 26, 1992"Study by oil industry on rig safety criticized," Globe and Mail, November 29, 1983
Politics
Before entering electoral politics, Newhook had been involved with both the federal and provincial New Democratic parties. As the provincial party's executive secretary, Newhook ran for the leadership following the retirement of former leader Peter Fenwick, and he defeated Gene Long in the 1989 provincial NDP convention.Ward, Stephen, "New leader hopes to improve Newfoundland NDP's fortunes," Globe and Mail, March 20, 1989 A provincial election was called about a month later, but the party lost both of its seats amidst a Liberal surge that saw NDP support drop 10 points, which moved to the Liberals; this allowed the Liberals led by Clyde Wells to defeat the Conservative government.Cox, Kevin, "Newfound Liberals win majority Leader's defeat tempers victory ", Globe and Mail, April 21, 1989 In 1990, while Newhook was leader, the NDP regained a seat in the House when Jack Harris won a by-election victory in St. John's East."NDP gets toehold in Newfoundland," Kitchener-Waterloo Record, December 12, 1990 Newhook attempted to win a seat for himself in a 1991 by-election in Trinity North but was unsuccessful despite a strong showing."Liberals score win", Globe and Mail, February 20, 1991 In his fifth attempt to win a seat, a 1992 by-election in Ferryland, he came in third."By-election wins," Globe and Mail, June 26, 1992 A month later, Newhook announced that he would step down as NDP leader;"Newfoundland NDP chief quits", Toronto Star, July 22, 1992 he was succeeded by MHA Jack Harris."New leader for Newfoundland NDP," Globe and Mail, November 16, 1992
He served on the provincial Electoral Districts Boundary Commission in 2006.
Newhook died on March 2, 2018, due to a short bout with cancer.
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