Premier-designate Christy Clark made strides in mending fences Wednesday when MLA Blair Lekstrom officially returned to caucus.

Lekstrom, who resigned as Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and left caucus June 11 over the controversial introduction of the Harmonized Sales Tax, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Clark at the first caucus meeting since the party’s leadership convention Saturday.

“The new leadership of premier [-designate] Clark, the discussions I’ve had with her really fit well with what I believe,” said the Peace River South MLA. “The real commitment to go out and engage the public … is a key issue for me.”

Lekstrom, who never opposed the HST, said he would help government sell the financial scheme but stopped short of saying if a June referendum could be won.

“We’re going to respect the wishes of how that vote turns out,” he said.

Clark said, she welcomed Lekstrom’s unique perspective on policy.

Ousted East Kootenay MLA Bill Bennett didn’t reach out to caucus chair Ron Cantelon in time to be considered for a return at Wednesday’s meeting.

“In the case of Bill it’s a little more complicated,” said Surrey-Cloverdale MLA Kevin Falcon. “He said a lot of things that were pretty hurtful and a lot of things that weren’t fair to the former premier, so I think he has a little work to do.”

Once-leadership hopeful George Abbott, delighted over Lekstrom’s return, said more must to be done to restore party unity.

“The entire process of getting government on a new footing was never going to be done in one day,” the Shuswap MLA said. “We’ve got the issue of the HST still staring us in the face. I’m sure with the restructuring of government, the transition to a new cabinet, there’s much work for the premier-designate to do on that front.”