‘Unrepentant’ N.B. Tory worker who called for Higgs’s leadership review steps down

John Williston, who served as regional vice-president for Westmorland Albert, noted his decision in a letter where he accused the party of losing sight of its long-held principles.

A New Brunswick Progressive Conservative party volunteer who spearheaded an unsuccessful effort to trigger a leadership review of Premier Blaine Higgs has resigned from his post.

John Williston, who served as regional vice-president for Westmorland Albert, outlined his decision in a scathing letter in which he accused the party of losing sight of its long-held defining principles. He cited examples such as equality between English and French-speaking communities, fiscal responsibility and access to key services like education and health care, but argued the primary failing comes from a lack of openness and accessibility within the ranks.

“A year ago, promises were made to bridge the divide in our party and work towards a brighter future, but I have yet to see any real progress made on this front,” he wrote in the letter dated Thursday, which did not mention Higgs.

“Instead, we have witnessed a significant exodus of elected officials, resignations from the provincial executive, the alienation of key volunteers, particularly those from the progressive conservative wing, and a feeling of hopelessness among our members, which has particularly affected several of our riding associations in the northern and southeast regions of the province.”

Representatives for Higgs did not immediately respond to request for comment on Williston’s resignation.

Williston, who turns 43 on Tuesday, said his association with the party dates back to childhood. He recalls putting up political signs with his father when he was as young as six or seven and getting more involved in the Progressive Conservative party as he got older.

He has been a vocal critic of Higgs and the party’s overall direction under his leadership, especially the recent changes to the province’s policy on sexual orientation and gender identity in schools. Williston also objected to proposed legislation that would allow authorities to force certain people into drug treatment, as well as the premier’s refusal to rule out invoking the constitution’s Notwithstanding Clause — a move that would shield the bill from court challenges if it becomes law.

Higgs has turned the Progressive Conservative party into “nothing more than a platform for his personal agenda,” he added in a telephone interview.