Cariboo-North MLA Bob Simpson said today that while he was expecting some form of discipline for his mild criticism of NDP leader Carole James' speech at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention, he was shocked at his immediate dismissal.
Simpson had written on a regional media website that James had little concrete to offer delegates at the UBCM convention last week in Whistler. He made a similar criticism of Premier Gordon Campbell.
In a lengthy statement released to media, Simpson defended his column, saying it was critical of a political system that does not address the real needs of people and communities - in this particular instance the failure of senior political leaders from all parties to address the needs of local governments.
"I was asked to retract my two sentences and offer a public apology - I declined as I don't believe my assessment of what happened at (the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention) is either inaccurate or misleading," said Simpson. "I understood some form of discipline may come a result of my honest appraisal. I was shocked it was immediate dismissal."
Simpson said he found it particularly troubling there was no process before he was convicted and removed from caucus by James. "I guess I was mistaken in my belief that the NDP was a progressive organization which valued free speech and honest critique as a means to create a better society for everyone," he added
Simpson also noted that his constituency association executive had passed a motion which calls for a leadership convention next year. That motion was first being put to the larger constituency membership.
Simpson said he had made the party executive aware of the leadership resolution, adding he planned to have a discussion with James at an upcoming NDP retreat about his "deeper concerns" about the current state of the party, James' leadership and that of the party president Mo Sihota.
In dismissing the Cariboo North MLA this morning, James said through his public comments, Simpson had made it clear he would rather criticize the party's work than contribute to it.
"He has made it clear that he does not want to be part of our team," she said in a prepared statement.
Simpson, who lives in Quesnel, has been twice elected to the Cariboo North riding, defeating his Liberal opponents by several hundred votes each time.
