Saskatchewan Sen. Denise Batters is once again a member of the federal Conservative caucus after former leader Erin O鈥橳oole removed her in November for challenging his leadership.
Batters said she鈥檚 鈥渢hrilled鈥� to be back with her Conservative Party family, a move that happened during Wednesday鈥檚 caucus meeting.
鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful to be back in national caucus鈥鈥檓 really thankful for all of my national Conservative caucus colleagues for welcoming me back and especially for my Saskatchewan Conservative caucus colleagues,鈥� she said.
鈥淣ow our caucus can all move forward together with our party members, holding this Liberal government to account and standing up for Canadians.鈥�
Batters launched a petition on Nov. 15 calling for an early review of the Conservative leadership following a disappointing election result.
鈥淎fter the election, I raised my concerns with Mr. O鈥橳oole directly. He did not respond and he did not act. I then asked publicly that our members have a voice. His response now is to kick me out,鈥� she said at the time.
O鈥橳oole in response said he wouldn鈥檛 tolerate any individual 鈥渄iscrediting鈥� or 鈥渟howing a clear lack of respect鈥� towards the efforts of the Conservative caucus.
On Feb. 2, O鈥橳oole resigned as leader after the majority of caucus voted to remove him from the post in a secret ballot. He will stay on as the Durham, Ont. MP.
O鈥橳oole was replaced by Manitoba MP and former deputy leader Candice Bergen, who will serve as interim leader of the party until a new leader is chosen.
