By Pete McIntyre

‘We are not the racists some people call us:’ Arnold blames outsiders for Scheer’s resignation

Dec 12, 2019 | 5:10 PM

The Conservative M-P for North Okanagan Shuswap says Andrew Scheer’s decision to step down as leader is a result of outsiders trying to divide the party.

Mel Arnold says the entire Tory caucus was united behind Scheer, with a focus on representing everyone’s rights and beliefs.

“Unfortunately there is people outside of caucus, outside of the leadership group…Put it this way: Conservatives win when we’re united. When outsiders try to divide us this way, it’s not good for us,” Arnold told Vernon Matters in an interview from Ottawa.

Arnold says the dissenters don’t understand the value of being united as “a big tent, everyone welcome party.”

“That’s what we’ve tried to create as a caucus as part of his leadership team, trying to include everyone. We are not the racists that some people call us. We try to respect everyone’s rights and beliefs.”

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Arnold says he was “somewhat” surprised by Scheer’s announcement.

“I hadn’t expected it today, that’s for sure, in almost our final day of the fall sitting. I hadn’t expected it necessarily at any point,” Arnold added.

Arnold says there’s a number of qualified people within and outside the party, who could be the next leader, saying names like Peter MacKay, Rona Ambrose and former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall are all “qualified people.”

“I’d be happy to serve with any one of them, but that is up to the grass root membership to decide and it’s too early to pick any leaders or choices.”

Arnold says the national council will establish a team to set up the rules and timing of a leadership convention.

“We have to remember we’re in a minority government where an election could be called at any time, but we also want to give candidates the full opportunity to showcase themselves,” said Arnold, a second term MP from Salmon Arm.

by Pete McIntyre

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