Conservative MPs express support for Erin O’Toole after she expels Senator Denise Batters from caucus

OTTAWA – Conservative MPs on Wednesday voiced support for leader Erin O’Toole’s decision to expel a senator from her caucus after she launched a petition demanding a referendum on his leadership.

While gathering in Ottawa for a weekly meeting, Members of Parliament said Senator Denise Batters’ effort was out of step with party rules and with the law governing how caucuses should be removed or conduct reviews. of leadership.

“We cannot comply with members who are not complying with the law and that is one of the reasons the decision was made, which I fully support,” said Rep. Michael Chong, who spearheaded what is known as the Law. of Reform that governs how the caucus is run.

For her part, O’Toole said firing her, which she announced Tuesday night, was unfortunate but necessary.

“You don’t want to make the decision, but actually she made it first,” he told reporters.

O’Toole said his caucus must focus on a singular goal of holding the liberal government to account.

“We have come together on our way forward as a team,” he said.

“The people who are now allowing their frustrations and their own personal agendas or issues about the pandemic to interfere with our progress are not part of the team.”

In a statement Wednesday morning, Batters said he had raised his concerns with O’Toole directly after the election and that he did not listen and act.

“Then I publicly asked that our members have a voice. His response now is to kick me out, ”he said.

Batters launched his petition earlier this week, saying he wanted to invoke a section of the party’s constitution that allows members to call a referendum.

The question to be posed to members, he said, is whether a leadership review should take place before the one currently scheduled for 2023.

In launching the petition, he accused O’Toole of changing too many policies without input from the caucus or grassroots membership, and of running afoul of conservative principles, an issue he returned to on Wednesday.

“If Mr. O’Toole is confident that our party members support the new direction our party is taking, he should have nothing to fear in confronting our members democratically in an accelerated vote of confidence,” he said.

“That he is fighting this with threats and intimidation to the caucus says it all.”

The party says its effort is offside with the constitution, as a leadership review cannot be triggered by a referendum.