Statement from Bob Simpson on his expulsion from the BC NDP Caucus

From Bob Simpson - MLA for Cariboo-North:

It is unfortunate I have been removed by the Leader from Caucus supposedly for a mere two sentences in my regular weekly Column. I hope all of you will read that column carefully before you judge me too harshly (although, I realize it might be too late for some).


Since my nomination in 2004, I have been a harsh critic of a political system that forces us into perpetual negative partisan politics and constant electioneering. Politics should be about governance with an election every four years that is fought on competing visions, not negative ads and sound bites. I've made those views plain in many Caucus meetings, speeches, and columns. I believe the electorate has made it plain that they too want something different, as we see fewer and fewer people show up to vote each election.


Time is running short for us to address the major and complex issues which confront us and this small planet we live on. We need to spend much more energy finding ways to address these issues than we do simply finding ways to bring down the sitting government in order to gain power by default and without a mandate for change.


My column was in that vein. 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 UBCM is either inaccurate or misleading. I understood some form of discipline may come a result of my honest appraisal. I was shocked it was immediate dismissal.


I find it troubling there was no process before I was convicted and removed from Caucus by the Leader. 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. To be immediately dismissed because of a soft critique of one speech seems a little harsh. More disturbing though was the decision to allow a Caucus meeting to take place in my absence where some MLAs were given full scope to attack my integrity and make spurious claims about my work ethic and my intelligence (among other things). Again, what happened to our social justice principles; particularly the right to a fair hearing and to be able to face our accusers?


I'm sure you will have also heard that my Constituency Executive has unanimously passed two motions which they will be taking to the general membership of Cariboo North. One of these motions calls for a Leadership Convention next year. I had given members of the Caucus Executive and Chief of Staff notice that this was taking place and I was the one who asked my Riding Executive to get the endorsement of the full membership for these motions before sending them forward as formal resolutions because they send a strong message about our Riding Executive's discontent with the current direction of the Party and I believed they should not be put forward without the free and informed consent of the rest of Cariboo North NDP's membership.


Finally, I had planned on attending the Caucus Retreat next week and had submitted my policy suggestions for discussion. At that Retreat I had arranged to have a face to face meeting with the Leader to speak directly about the deeper concerns I have about the current state of our Party, her leadership and the leadership of our Party President. None of these very serious and more deeply troubling concerns which I have shared with members of Caucus Executive, the Chief of Staff and the Party President, were made public in my column this week.


Take care and I look forward to the possibility of working with you all sometime in the future.