Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams rises in the legislature on March 22, 2010.Paul Daly/The Canadian Press
The Newfoundland and Labrador Liberals have hired a former federal Conservative candidate to lead their communications, one year before the provincial election.
Craig Westcott will become the party's director of communications Monday.
Mr. Westcott ran for the Tories during the 2008 federal election in the riding of St. John's East, but lost.
The former journalist and pundit has been a vociferous critic of Tory Premier Danny Williams, whom he once called a "control freak" who likes to surround himself with "toadies."
In a statement, Mr. Westcott said he was excited to help Liberal Leader Yvonne Jones in her bid to win the October 2011 election.
There are 42 Tories in the provincial legislature, four Liberals, one NDP member and one vacant seat.