UPDATE: Party under Higgs has ‘lost its way’: Ex-PC's scathing speech

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The Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick has “lost its way” under the leadership of Blaine Higgs, no longer representing the progressive politics of Bernard Lord, Richard Hatfield or David Alward, says former Tory John Herron in a scathing speech introducing him as a Liberal candidate in the next election.

The former Progressive Conservative MP was acclaimed as the Liberal candidate in Hampton-Fundy-St. Martins Saturday afternoon.

In a speech he delivered at a Hampton nomination convention, a copy of which was provided to Brunswick News in advance, Herron says Higgs’s “unsettling swerve to the right,” including the nomination of Christian conservative activist Faytene Grasseschi in that riding, is why he’s returning to politics.

The words attempt to frame one of the biggest questions ahead of a looming provincial election: What will Tory voters do with their vote amid warnings of a changed ideological direction?

Herron went as far in his speech as to allege that Gary Crossman, the current MLA in the riding, was pressured by Higgs into supporting Grasseschi, which ultimately led to his abrupt recent resignation.

Herron added on Saturday that he now has an “extraordinary coalition” of voters behind him, including Progressive Conservatives.

“Liberals, Progressive Conservatives, Green inspired voters and others of no party affiliation have come together in common cause because the communities of this riding are progressive in spirit and forward thinking,” reads his speech. “It is inspiring to see that you have all checked your past partisan swords at the door to rally behind our candidacy.

He adds: “Together we will elect a candidate who reflects the progressive nature of our communities.”

But it’s a claim his political opponents are rejecting.

In a statement to Brunswick News, Laura Myers, the Green candidate in Hampton-Fundy-St. Martins, said she has been campaigning for months, agreeing that the people she has met while door knocking have expressed their concerns about the Progressive Conservative candidate and the direction of the party.

“But they don’t just want to vote against something,” she said.

“They want to vote for something.

“Many of them have been long-time Liberal or Conservative supporters, but they are disenchanted with both parties, and they are ready to support me, their Green party candidate.”

Myers also rejected that Green voters are considering voting Liberal.

“John Herron claims that Green inspired voters are supporting his candidacy. However, in my experience, I have seen no evidence of that. In fact, I have seen the opposite,” she said.

Saturday afternoon’s nomination was attended by a few long-time Tories, including those who have served on the Progressive Conservative Hampton-Fundy-St. Martins riding association.

But Herron had also told Brunswick News he expected Arlene Dunn, who had been a cabinet minister for Higgs before suddenly resigning earlier this year, to be in attendance.

She wasn’t present at the event.

Neither was Crossman.

Herron said in his speech that he had no plans to return to public life “at this stage in my career,” but ultimately decided to leave his role as CEO of the New Brunswick Business Council to do so.

“With the Higgs government’s unsettling swerve to the right, the unprecedented political drama that has seen good people fleeing his caucus and party, and most importantly with the controversy and local angst surrounding the Conservative Party’s appointed ultra-conservative and populist nominee for this riding, I knew I needed to offer, to give centrists of all political persuasions, those who belief in big tent politics, a name on the ballot whom they can trust,” the text of Herron’s speech said.

Herron describes himself as a centrist.

“I come from a political tradition that includes big tent political leaders Robert Stanfield and Joe Clark, leaders like Louis J. Robichaud and his quest for equal opportunity, coalition builders like Brian Mulroney and Jean Charest, and forward thinking economic leaders such as Frank McKenna and Paul Martin,” reads his speech.

He’s calling for a balanced budget, tax policy that keeps the private sector competitive, strong environmental policy, a government with a “moral duty” to help those who are most vulnerable, as well as progressive values.

“I believe in women’s right to choose, and the need to ensure that we embrace and protect one’s right to love whoever they choose to love,” the text said.

Herron then shifts to the attack.

“The Progressive Conservatives, under the leadership of this premier, have lost its way,” Herron’s speech reads. “This premier’s choice for the nominee in this riding is perhaps the starkest illustration.”

Herron focuses on Grasseschi’s own words that she is an “authentic conservative.”

“Let’s be clear: This is a rejection and an insult to the moderate centrist tradition of past Progressive Conservative leaders and all those who worked or voted for those leaders,” reads the speech.

“The Higgs led Conservatives do not represent the party of Bernard Lord, Richard Hatfield nor David Alward, and they will not appeal to a majority or even a plurality of New Brunswickers.”

Herron then references “angst” from inside the Progressive Conservative caucus against the premier’s pick of Grasseschi. “Gary Crossman was courageous in resisting the pressure to endorse Higgs’s nominee,” Herron’s speech reads.

Herron then alleges that the “rationale behind Gary’s steadfast refusal to support the nominee” stems from “discriminatory content” found in a book Grasseschi published in 2009 titled “Marked” that criticizes the legalization of same-sex marriage.

Crossman resigned last month in a social media post that referenced a disagreement with the party.

“My personal and political beliefs no longer align in many ways with the direction of our party and government,” Crossman said, although not providing further details.

Myers has also said the Progressive Conservatives should have rejected Grasseschi’s bid to run for the party, citing the book and its criticism of the legalization of same-sex marriage.

Herron’s speech also states Grasseschi should have been disqualified.

“Under leadership of any other, I would suggest that the nominee would have been disqualified at the outset,” reads the speech.

“This riding deserves more than what is tantamount to a fringe candidate.

“I am certain that the party of Richard Hatfield and Bernard Lord would not have recruited the appointed nominee nor would they have allowed them to run on their team.”

Reached for comment, Grasseschi referenced a statement she previously posted to social media.

“Since the announcement that I am the PCNB candidate for our riding, some opponents have focused on words spoken many years ago (while) generally attacking people of faith,” Grasseschi wrote.

“This has been disheartening to observe. One of my least favourite things in politics is mud-slinging. It is my commitment to work hard to cultivate civility and kindness in public dialogue at all times.”

She added: “I want to state without reservation that I respect our laws. Even more so, I respect every person for who they are and believe that each person is worthy to be treated with honour, kindness and dignity.”

At the convention on Saturday, Liberal Leader Susan Holt said “there’s a lot of fear” over what Grasseschi’s candidacy signals about the direction of the Progressive Conservatives.

“And I think that’s why we see a more politically diverse crowd here,” Holt said. “You could feel the tension, the energy, the mix.

“There were some people here who have never set foot at a Liberal event before and you could sort of feel that. But I think they’re here for good reason.”

“He’s brought together current members of the Progressive Conservative Party, people from the Green Party, people who used to be Liberal and who are now Liberal again, because people realize that now is the time we need to bring forward a change,” she said.

– With files from Brice McVicar