Inside the scramble for Scarborough Southwest

Ford smells blood, Stiles bares teeth, Grits start side-eyeing

ABOVE THE FOLD

Ex-NDP MPP DOLY BEGUM lobbed a political grenade when she defected to the federal Grits — and all parties at Queen’s Park are scrambling for cover.

What the Premier had to say: Speaking to reporters after an address to the Mississauga Board of Trade, DOUG FORD said he’s going to be putting up a fight in Scarborough Southwest, where the PCs have placed second for the last three elections.

“I’ll just work as hard as we can and hopefully we can turn that seat,” he said, adding that he really liked Begum.

As for when he’ll call a byelection: “I’m just not too sure when.” Technically, Ford has six months to set a date.

Ford’s war room is already making thinly-veiled jabs about blocking the seat from federal Liberal backbencher and expected provincial leadership contender NATE ERSKINE-SMITH, who was first out of the gate to announce he’ll seek the party’s nod to run in the riding that neighbours his own Beaches-East York.

Expect the PCs to go hard against Erskine-Smith if he w…