Bennett back in caucus after majority rules in Liberal ranks
By Nelson Daily Staff
Ousted MLA Bill Bennett is back with the BC Liberals after he was welcomed back to caucus Tuesday in a “consensus-style” decision.
Bennett was removed last fall over highly critical comments about then-premier Gordon Campbell’s leadership style, describing him as a bully who left some members suffering from symptoms similar to “battered-wife syndrome.”
The former Energy minister represented constituents in his Cranbrook-area Kootenay East riding as an independent MLA since his departure.
Premier Christy Clark said Bennett needed to get back into the Liberal tent. Noting he had apologized for his actions involving the former premier, she said the time had come for the Liberals to look to the future.
During the recent Liberal leadership race that elected Clark, Bennett threw his support behind Education Minister George Abbott.
But he admitted knocking on Clark’s door shortly after her victory, saying he felt he had a role to play in her government.
With files from The Canadian Press.
