N.B. Tory worker who called for Higgs’s leadership review steps down [Video]

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, …