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By Corey Fischer

Foster “Happy” With New Liberal Leader

Feb 6, 2018 | 7:00 PM

The MLA for Vernon Monashee isn’t saying how he voted — but says he’s solidly behind the Liberal’s new leader Andrew Wilkinson.

Wilkinson, a former cabinet minister and current MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena, beat-out one-time Surrey mayor Dianne Watts and five others to take over Christy Clark’s former position.

MLA Eric Foster says Wilkinson might not have been people’s first choice in some areas, but he was a strong second choice.

“He had a lot of support from caucus from all over the province, and that’s I think what made the difference, not just the caucus support, but support from all over the province. Maybe the others were more localized,” says Foster.

It’s not known yet how the 475 Liberal party members in Vernon- Monashee voted.

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Foster himself isn’t saying how he voted, just saying he’s “real happy with the outcome.”

“Andrew brings a lot to the table. Having worked with him the last four years, I think he’s an excellent choice for leader.”

Foster says Wilkinson will be announcing his new caucus team this week, ahead of next week’s NDP throne speech.

“I’m still the whip as of now anyway. We’ve had some conversations on what’s going to happen this week, and there’s no opportunity to kind of build up. We’ve got to be on the ground running as of Tuesday morning.”

Foster remained neutral during the leadership race due to his position as the party’s whip.

Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo supported Kamloops MLA Todd Stone, who came in fourth.

Kyllo told the Vernon Morning Star, Wilkinson is very sharp and well spoken, adding he has a lot of respect for him.

by Corey Fischer

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