Blowback over Liberals' scarlet letter

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ABOVE THE FOLD

Lots of #onpoli action over the weekend. Let’s get to it.

DEAR MIKE — Many Grits are reeling over a letter signed by their fellow heavyweight partisans hoping to draft MIKE SCHREINER as leader.

The 39 signatories include former ministers DEB MATTHEWS, GREG SORBARA, LIZ SANDALS and JOHN MILLOY. Ditto sitting MPP LUCILLE COLLARD, former campaign director PAT SORBARA and dozens more big names in the party.

“Our party needs to rediscover a politics of purpose and principle,” they wrote to Schreiner. “That is why we are taking this unprecedented step — to reach outside our ranks to urge you, the leader of another party — to join the Ontario Liberals and run for our party’s leadership.”

It’s salt in the wounds of those who are actively exploring the Liberal leadership race, including MPs YASIR NAQVI and NATE ERSKINE-SMITH and MPPs TED HSU and MITZIE HUNTER.

“The letter is humiliating for the party. Full stop,” texted one senior Grit operative. “The party has a competitive lead…