Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar leaves B.C. Conservative caucus

Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar has left the B.C. Conservative caucus, saying his values no longer align with the party’s direction under new leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay.

Milobar, the party’s former finance critic, said he respects the membership’s vote and Findlay’s right to shape the party, but said the past several months made the disagreement in direction clear. He said the decision was not driven by one issue, but by the overall way the caucus is being structured.

Findlay said she spoke with Milobar about his decision and thanked him for his years of service and work as the party’s shadow finance minister.

Milobar will now sit as an Independent. His departure means six former B.C. Conservatives sit as Independents, while Penticton Summerland MLA Amelia Boultbee, another former Conservative, has joined the NDP. The Conservative caucus now has 37 MLAs, down from 44 elected less than two years ago; the NDP has 48 and the Greens have two.

Milobar said he has not decided whether to join or form another party. He has not spoken with Independent MLA Elenore Sturko about forming a caucus and ruled out joining the NDP.