Delta South MLA Vicki Huntington wasn't surprised about the latest turn of events for the B.C. Liberals this week.
John van Dongen, the MLA for Abbotsford South and former solicitor general, rose in the legislature to blast the government for a lack of integrity.
He then announced his defection to the B.C. Conservatives.
Huntington, who turned down overtures from the Liberals three years ago to run as an independent, told the Optimist she knew van Dongen wasn't happy and was extremely concerned about the ethical nature of the Liberal leadership.
"He was most uncomfortable and felt his own sense of right and wrong was being compromised," Huntington said.
Huntington noted, "This was a very courageous thing to do and was a move motivated by great integrity and principle. Mr. van Dongen has been a loyal Liberal cabinet minister and MLA for over 17 years. This was not an easy decision, I can assure you."
After the drama unfolded in the house Monday, van Dongen held a snap news conference nearby with Cummins, the former longtime MP for DeltaRichmond East.
Saying the Liberal government was headed for failure for its bad decisions, van Dongen cited several reasons for jumping ship.
The MLA said the party's political leadership lacks integrity.
The Liberal defector may have to sit as an independent for now because the Conservatives do not have official party status in the house.
As far as where Huntington will end up, she hasn't said that she would also join the Conservatives. Cummins, who publicly endorsed Huntington in the last provincial election, is a longtime friend.
Huntington this week said, "I have said many times that sitting as an independent has meant that my integrity is intact.
"I am the representa-tive of the people of Delta South. Being independent has meant that my allegiance is to my constituency, not to a party. I bring the voice of Delta South to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia."
Huntington added, "It is a unique honour and a unique role and while people talk to me about other options, right now I am committed to being independent."
The Liberals could have another high-profile candidate running against her in former school board chair Kelly Guichon, who several months ago announced that she intends to run for the nomination to be the party's candidate for Delta South.
Huntington narrowly beat Liberal Wally Oppal in the last election.
With premier Christy Clark not doing well in opinion polls, it's not expected the next provincial election will be held until required in May 2013.
Some have criticized Cummins for creating a possible right-wing split scenario, one in which could result in the NDP getting back in power.
