New Democratic Party (NDP) MLA Nicholas Simons said he would like to see a member of the caucus, who was recently booted out, return to the fold.
Carole James, BC NDP leader, expelled Cariboo North MLA Bob Simpson on Oct. 7.
"I hope Bob returns soon, as he was an intelligent and valuable member of our caucus," Simons, who represents Powell River-Sunshine Coast, wrote in an email to the Peak.
Simons was in Vancouver from Oct. 12 to 14 for caucus meetings. Before that he was back east.
"I was in Ottawa with family when I heard Bob was kicked out of caucus for his criticism of a speech Carole made," Simons wrote. "Carole had to make a judgment call about how to respond to this public criticism, but like many of my colleagues and constituents I was disappointed."
James made the decision to expel Simpson without consulting the caucus.
The ruckus started after Simpson posted a commentary on a local Williams Lake website in which he criticized Premier Gordon Campbell's speech at the UBCM (Union of BC Municipalities) conference as lacklustre. He also criticized James's speech at that conference.
"The Leader of the Opposition likewise had little concrete to offer the delegates other than a commitment to be more consultative than the current government and a promise to explore the possibility of revenue sharing with local governments," Simpson wrote.
James released a statement just after midnight Oct. 7 to announce that she had expelled Simpson.
"Through his public comments today, Mr. Simpson has made it clear that he would rather criticize our work than contribute to it," James stated.
Since the ouster, political pundits have been speculating the party is split over Simpson's departure and James's leadership.
James told reporters in Vancouver that if Simpson apologized, he would be welcomed back to the caucus.
In what appeared to be another blow for James, Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Norm MacDonald decided to resign as caucus chair. James issued a release on Friday, Oct. 15 announcing Burnaby-Deer Lake MLA Kathy Corrigan was replacing MacDonald as chair. MacDonald is staying in caucus and will continue as the party's forestry critic.
