FREDERICTON, N.B.- The Premier and his right hand man are downplaying any rumours of a political divide.  

If there is a rift developing between Premier David Alward and the provincial finance minister it didn’t seem like it yesterday at the legislature.

The Premier and Blaine Higgs appeared as a united front as they fielded questions from the media.

Although the Quispamsis MLA wouldn’t say if he supported the appointment of former MLA Margaret Ann Blaney to Efficiency NB’s top job, the Telegraph Journal reports he did confirm his support for the Premier.

Alward believes he has the support of his caucus, adding he encourages them to have frank and open discussions as they aren’t  “a group of penguins”.

Both Liberals and the NDP believe Blaney’s appointment will be a hot button topic during this month’s by-election in her former riding of Rothesay.