Garth Turner has withdrawn his candidacy for the Liberal nomination in the federal riding of Dufferin-Caledon.

His decision, announced last weekend, leaves the party with no official candidate, but Alton businessman Bill Prout had filed papers with the party prior to Mr. Turner's withdrawal, intending to challenge for the nomination.

As per protocol, Mr. Prout's application needs to go through a review, or "green lighting" process before his candidacy can be declared official.

"In Dufferin-Caledon I have been the only nominee for MP candidate since August," Mr. Turner said in his announcement. "I'm interpreting the leader's failure to allow a nominations meeting as a signal my views are unwelcome."

In both his official announcement and in a later interview, Mr. Turner indicated he did not have the favour of the Liberal party and party leader Michael Ignatieff.

"Maybe I'm too outspoken," said Mr. Turner in an interview. "I've tried not to shy away from the issues."

In his announcement, he said "questionable decisions have been made. The consequences will be long-lasting. We should elect people driven to solve problems, not just attracted to power."

Janet Rosenstock, membership chair for the Dufferin- Caledon Federal Liberal Association, said in an interview that any possible personality conflict between Mr. Turner and Mr. Ignatieff was not the issue.

"I do not understand why Mr. Turner blames the leader for not granting him a nomination meeting," said Ms. Rosenstock. "He has been told repeatedly that a nomination meeting can only be granted when we reach a specific membership level for our association."

The Dufferin-Caledon Liberal riding association currently has 161 members, nine short of the 170 required by the party for a nomination meeting.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the Liberal Party of Canada Ontario (LPCO) said a nomination meeting will only be considered when a riding has met the membership and fundraising thresholds. "There are still a handful of ridings in the province that have not yet met minimum thresholds," said LPCO executive director Judi Longfield. "Dufferin- Caledon is one of these ridings.

"There has been almost no membership activity in this particular riding for many months. It is for this reason that a nomination meeting has not been called."

Mr. Prout, meanwhile, said he has signed on 15 new members and is in the process of getting more.

Jeff May, president of the Dufferin-Caledon Federal Liberal Association, issued a short statement on the matter, in which he said: "We thank Mr. Turner for his interest and wish him all the best with his future endeavours."

With his future as a Liberal all but non-existent, Mr. Turner also said he is not considering running as an independent.

"I've had experience as an independent," said the former Halton MP, referring to the four months he sat as an independent after being dismissed from the Conservative caucus. "It's not fun."

He added that, in such a situation, an MP cannot sit on committees or take part in debates.

"It's a very, very meaningless position. It shouldn't be, but that's the way it is."