Liberals betrayed MP Wilson: Ex-aide

West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country MP Blair Wilson’s wife expects to file a statement of defence this week responding to a lawsuit laid against her by her stepfather.

The dispute over Kelly Wilson’s mother’s estate has embroiled the local MP and cast doubt on his political future. Despite facing a lawsuit from his father-in-law and allegations of election fraud, Wilson hopes to return to the Liberal party. But one former campaign worker says he needs to move on.

Christopher Bennett, now at the helm of Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan’s bid for re-election, says Wilson has been so mistreated by the Liberals he needs to completely sever ties with the party that “betrayed” him.

“Obviously this came from somewhere, obviously from the Liberal side,” Bennett said, of allegations against Wilson that surfaced suddenly in media reports last fall. “If anyone thinks this is anything other than a Liberal inside job – they’re crazy.”

Although whispered allegations had been floating around for some time, Bennett said the timing of all the business, financial and election allegations falling at once was likely orchestrated.

“It seems like somebody was working pretty seriously in the background,” he said.

Another former supporter hopes Wilson fails to regain the party’s blessing. Judi Tyabji said she once hosted fundraisers for the future MP, but now believes the party desperately needs a new candidate. Wilson’s return would be a “huge favour” for local Conservatives and the “worst possible outcome” for the Liberals, she said.

“The party would look like a laughing stock,” she said. “(Wilson’s supporters) might be convinced that he hasn’t done anything wrong but I don’t think the voters would be persuaded.”

Tyabji’s support for Wilson weakened when he stopped returning her phone calls after the last election. She added he alienated many of his Sunshine Coast and Powell River supporters in a similarly brusque fashion.

“You cannot get re-elected by treating some of your main campaign organizers as disposable,” she said. “You have to value them before, during and after the campaign. And he just disappeared.”

Some Wilson supporters speculate that Tyabji is driven by a desire for the Liberal nod in West Vancouver, a claim she flatly denies. The software company CEO said she is too focused on her business to consider a return to public service.

“I know that some of them have said I participated because I wanted the nomination,” she said. “I have no interest in the nomination but I mean it’s very easy to point the finger at other people and say ‘it’s not my fault, it’s their fault.’”

Although Tyabji admitted she passed on documents to the party outlining Wilson’s alleged misdeeds, she said there was already a “dull roar” from others echoing the same claims.

Wilson’s been dealt a severe political blow but Bennett said the MP can recover. Calling him the hardest-working MP he’s ever seen, Bennett said Wilson would best serve the riding’s interests as an independent.

“What he’s gotta do is resist the temptation to realign with the Liberals,” he said. “In a minority government (as an independent) he would be a lot more influential with his vote than any partisan MP would be.”

Even if Wilson does return to the Liberals, Tyabji said he’ll struggle to win without supporters from the northern reaches of the riding.

“Without the Sunshine Coast and Powell River I don’t see how he could possibly hope to get re-elected,” she said. “Even if people in West Vancouver think ‘oh well what’s a few lawsuits between friends?’”

For the Liberals to reconquer the riding, they’ll need a solid candidate, frequent visits from party boss Stéphane Dion and a lot of time to reorganize, Tyabji said.

“It’s going to be hard, but it’s possible because I think there’s many people in the riding who would like to vote Liberal.”

Local Liberals have yet to schedule a nomination race although their annual general meeting is scheduled for April 5. Party spokeswoman Elizabeth Whiting says the Liberals reviewed Wilson’s qualifications and determined he is an unfit representative no matter what Elections Canada or the courts conclude.

“The Liberal Party of Canada B.C. did a review and as part of that review determined (Wilson) failed to disclose significant information on his nomination forms,” she said, adding that the party didn’t find about the information until the “potentially serious allegations were brought forward at the end of October.”