Blaine Higgs Continues to Influence New Brunswick Politics
In the realm of New Brunswick politics, defeated premiers typically vanish without a trace, refraining from involvement in party discussions regarding future strategies or leadership decisions. However, Blaine Higgs has always stood out as an exception to this norm.
Recently, Higgs made his presence felt at the Progressive Conservative Party’s annual general meeting by sharing insights on potential leadership contenders, the 2023 rebellion within the caucus against him, and the prospect of rebranding the party. He expressed skepticism about transforming the PCs into a broad-based party, arguing that many individuals identifying as “Progressive” Conservatives actually lean towards Liberal, NDP, or Green ideologies.
Higgs suggested that those not aligned with conservative principles should not be affiliated with the party and found the idea of dropping the word “Progressive” from the party’s name intriguing. This sparked a debate on whether the party should prioritize electoral success or focus on effecting meaningful change in the province.
Following his defeat after a six-year tenure, the Tories face a pivotal decision on whether to diverge from Higgs’s vision and expand their support base to secure victory in 2028. Throughout his political career, Higgs contended that the compromises inherent in moderate party politics hinder effective governance and fiscal responsibility.
Reflecting on past attempts at a big-tent approach in 2017, Higgs referenced the unsuccessful integration of former NDP leader Dominic Cardy into the party. This move backfired when Cardy resigned as education minister in 2022, implying that the failure did not rest solely on his shoulders.
Critics within the PC party accused Higgs of neglecting fundamental leadership duties by disregarding diverse perspectives, failing to value ministers and legislators, and struggling to foster consensus. From the onset, Higgs diverged from traditional party practices, garnering minimal MLA endorsements during his leadership bid in 2016 and recruiting supporters without prior PC affiliations to reshape New Brunswick.
Despite warnings from colleagues, including a confidential letter from former health minister Dorothy Shephard in 2021, urging a more inclusive approach to caucus deliberations, Higgs persisted in his unilateral decision-making. The fallout from the Policy 713 amendment on pronouns in provincial schools further underscored the growing discontent within the PC ranks, culminating in a significant defection in June 2023.
As factions within the party grapple with ideological rifts and leadership aspirations, Higgs’s recent comments have reignited tensions and cast a shadow over the party’s unity efforts. While some members advocate for reconciliation and progress, Higgs’s lingering influence poses a challenge to the PC’s path forward under interim leader Glen Savoie’s guidance.