After 8 months in the political wilderness, Bruce Grey Owen Sound MPP Bill Murdoch is returning to the Progressive Conservative fold.
Murdoch was turfed from the caucus last September after suggesting it was time for then Leader John Tory to pack it in.
Since then the colourful MPP has been sitting in the Legislature as an Independent member.
However the departure of John Tory as leader earlier this year and Bob Runciman taking over as interim leader paved the way for Murdoch’s return.
Murdoch says he now has been officially invited to come back and will rejoin the caucus when it meets next week.
He says some of the changes introduced by Runciman including the election of the caucus chair convinced him that the time was right to return.
Murdoch says both he and Runciman thought it was best for the party if came back and he now can help with the rebuilding process as they head towards a June Leadership convention.
He says with a Provincial Election expected in several years, its important to get the party back in shape under a new leader.
The Bruce Grey Owen Sound MPP also says he spoke with all four Leadership candidates and they all had no problem with him coming back to the Conservative fold.
Murdoch also says part of the deal will see him take on the role of an opposition critic, but exactly what position that will be will probably worked out at next weeks caucus meeting.
He says there is no bitterness or hard feelings on either side over the whole incident, saying that’s just politics.