Jim Parrott to seek nomination to run for Tories in N.B. election

FREDERICTON – An independent member of the New Brunswick legislature says he will seek the Progressive Conservative nomination in September’s provincial election.

Jim Parrott was booted from the Tory caucus in September 2012 after saying the government wasn’t listening to the concerns of physicians in the province.

The former heart surgeon says he has always been outspoken and has no plan to change — but he needs to be back with the Progressive Conservative party to be an effective politician.

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“I’ve been a Tory all my life,” he said. “My mother is probably rolling over in her grave right now, thinking I am anything but a Tory.

“I feel that to be the best contributor I can be, I need to be back in the party.”

He says Premier David Alward has agreed to sign his papers as a candidate if he wins the nomination for the new riding of Kings Centre on May 10.

Parrott says it’s too soon to say if he’ll be allowed back into caucus before that date.

Deputy premier Paul Robichaud says the decision to expel Parrott was made by the caucus and allowing him to return would have to be approved by the caucus as well.