Meet the black, LGBTQ Conservative for Ajax: Vonny Sweetland announces he's running for candidacy

Former provincial Liberal candidate Vonny Sweetland has announced he will be throwing in his hat to run for the Federal Conservative Party in Ajax, Ontario.

Sweetland, who is a member of the black and LGBTQ communities, made a public departure from the Ontario Liberals after the party failed to uphold their promise of seeking diverse candidates, calling it a "small circle" where "invites [were] limited."

Feeling unwelcomed and discouraged from running as a nomination contestant for the Toronto-St. Paul provincial riding, Sweetland departed, and says he was approached by two different parties. After consideration, Sweetland says he decided that the O'Toole Conservatives would be his new home.

Speaking to The Post Millennial, Sweetland said that he decided to call the Conservative Party home after first-hand, troubling experiences with "elitism and lack of accountability within the Liberal ranks."

"It became clear to me that if I wanted to see a transparent, honest government for everyday Canadians and not just those at the top, it wasn't going to be delivered through the Liberal party," he says. "I know wholeheartedly that the Conservative Party of Canada is here to serve the great people of this nation with their betterment in mind."

Sweetland says that while he considered himself a Liberal for much of his young life, his short time working with the party opened his eyes.

"After working on provincial Liberal efforts and having a view into their world I was shocked," Sweetland says. "The values they claim to champion are primarily just lip service. Once you realize this, you cannot support their party in good conscience."

Sweetland says that he is not here to be liked by the political elite, and respects the Conservative Party for not being afraid to run "an average guy who wants to stand up for his community," without the elitism and "undemocratic shenanigans" that come with other parties.

"Ajax deserves a present and reliable leader who isn't in politics to curry favour with elite political circles and special interest groups," he says. "I'm intent on being that leader."