'I haven't burned my membership card: Ches Crosbie still supporting Conservatives
St. John's lawyer Ches Crosbie is not abandoning the federal Conservatives, despite his recent rejection as a suitable candidate for the riding of Avalon in eastern Newfoundland.
"I'm still a Conservative. I haven't burned my membership card," Crosbie told CBC News.
"Premier Davis is right. It's wise for us to have representatives in each of the three major parties."
Crosbie said officials told him he wasn't the type of candidate the party was looking for, after he sought the nomination to run in Avalon.
His father, John Crosbie, accused Senator David Wells of sabotaging his son's bid. He also said the party blamed Ches Crosbie's rejection on a joke he made about Mike Duffy in a theatrical skit.
- John Crosbie accuses N.L. Senator David Wells of sabotaging Ches Crosbie's bid
- Ches Crosbie rejection could cripple federal Tories in N.L.
Ches Crosbie has signed a confidentiality agreement and said he will not talk about the reasons the party gave for the refusal.
"I can tell you I was surprised and so was everybody else around me," he said.
He did say rumours that his rejection was due to his involvement with the residential schools class action lawsuit were untrue.
Crosbie was not clear on whether he would cast a vote for the Conservatives during the federal election, but did suggest the party as an option.
"If somebody were to ask me how they should vote in Avalon, then I'd tell them you should have a hard look at the candidates and vote for the person who's likely to give you the strongest voice in Ottawa," he said.
"Also I'd repeat the advice that Premier Davis has already given, which is that Newfoundland would be well off to return some conservatives in the next election."
Crosbie said he wouldn't publicly campaign for the party during the upcoming election, but would be helpful behind the scenes. He said he has not given serious consideration to running for the Progressive Conservatives at a provincial level.