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. I do not know too many details, but I am aware he had been weighing his options over the last while. He had explored independence and had also spoken with (Conservative leader) John Cummins," 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 Delta-Richmond East.
Saying the Liberal government was headed for failure for its bad decisions, van Dongen cited several reasons for jumping ship including the decision to pay $6 million in legal fees to two convicted party insiders related to the B.C. Rail case. He also cited the cancelled $35-million Telus naming rights for B.C. Place. The MLA said the party's political leadership lacks integrity.
Saying van Dongen is a man of principle and integrity, Cummins expressed delight in the defection, noting van Dongen has joined B.C.'s fastest growing party. Cummins added that van Dongen's experience in the legislature will be invaluable in holding the government to account.
Saying she doesn't know why van Dongen chose to join the Conservatives, Huntington noted there's some speculation that he may not legally be able to sit as a Conservative party member.
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. However, in an earlier interview he told the Optimist Huntington's constituents voted for her as an independent and that's where she should remain until the next election.
Huntington this week said, "I have said many times that sitting as an independent has meant that my integrity is intact. I am the representative 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. Her victory was thanks to not only holding on to enough right wing support she gathered when she ran against Val Roddick in 2005, but also garnering many traditional NDP voters who switched to her to prevent a Liberal victory.
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 spilt scenario, one in which could result in the NDP getting back in power.
