An unpredictable MP's predictable exit

And a parliamentary heartthrob

PARTING SHOT

Still smarting from the nomination loss in Scarborough Southwest, NATE ERSKINE-SMITH is officially ruling out a bid for Ontario Liberal captain, and sounds done with provincial politics altogether.

The outgoing MP for Beaches-East York held a farewell party at Brunswick Bierworks last night, telling the crowd he’s closing the door on his provincial ambitions — but the one to Toronto City Hall is wide open. Erskine-Smith downplayed the conversation he had with Toronto Mayor OLIVIA CHOW, saying his candidacy only came up “in passing.”

“Having gone through what I went through in Scarborough, it just doesn’t make sense,” he said of the provincial race. It’s not totally surprising — since narrowly losing the SSW nomination (and his subsequent challenge of the results) Erskine-Smith has been laying low, saying his leadership bid is less likely.

Municipally speaking, he’s got a clearer opening: BRAD BRADFORD is gunning for Mayor and putting his Beaches-East York council seat in …