Big-name B.C. NDP members sign on for James

A list of prominent B.C. New Democrats has come out publicly in support of Carole James as leader of the party.

The list includes former premier Mike Harcourt and many members of his cabinet and caucus, who would be considered moderates in the party, but  there were fewer names with strong ties to Glen Clark.

"After 10 years of B.C. Liberal government, British Columbians are looking to New Democrats to offer hope for a better future," the statement reads.

"Carole James understands this and is bringing people together to build a better alternative for B.C. Compassionate and smart, she is a listener who knows when to act."

James has been under pressure from some quarters of the party to agree to a leadership convention prior to the next provincial election, currently scheduled for May 2013.

Party leader since 2003, James has lost two elections to the B.C. Liberals but took the party to a much stronger finish in the most recent ballot in 2009.

Four B.C. New Democrat riding associations have formally voted to hold a leadership convention in September 2011.

MLA expelled

The call came after James booted MLA Bob Simpson out of the party's caucus for publicly criticizing a speech she made and saying the party was struggling under her leadership.

Simpson now sits as an independent.

Caucus chair Norm Macdonald quit his post shortly after the Simpson affair, but remains in the caucus.

The leadership issue will be debated at provincial council meetings in Victoria this weekend.

The statement released Thursday night makes no mention of the party's internal squabbles and urges party members to stay the course and join them in their "support Carole's vision for British Columbia."

"We urge New Democrats to pull together and to keep focused on our goal," the statement says.

Those who signed the statement were:

• Lois Boone, Former MLA (Prince George-Mt. Robson).
• Gretchen Brewin, Former MLA (Victoria-Beacon Hill).
• John Cashore, Former MLA (Coquitlam-Maillardville).
• Elizabeth Cull, Former MLA (Oak Bay-Gordonhead).
• Anne Edwards, Former MLA (Kootenay).
• Colin Gabelmann, Former MLA (North Island).
• Evelyn Gillespie, Former MLA (Comox Valley).
• Mike Harcourt, Former Premier (Vancouver-Point Grey).
• Gerard Janssen, Former MLA (Alberni).
• Catherine McGregor, Former MLA (Kamloops).
• Joy MacPhail, Former Leader (Vancouver-Hastings).
• Darlene Marzari, Former MLA (Vancouver-Point Grey).
• Penny Priddy, Former MLA (Surrey-Newton).
• Paul Ramsey, Former MLA (Prince George-North).
• David Schreck, Former MLA (North Vancouver-Lonsdale).
• David Zirnhelt, Former MLA (Cariboo-South).