Kerry-Lynne Findlay steps down as leader of the B.C. Conservatives

Kerry-Lynne Findlay announced Sunday afternoon, Sept. 20, that she is stepping down as leader of the B.C. Conservatives. In a social-media statement, she said the decision was difficult but was the right one for the movement and for British Columbia.

Findlay said internal conflict had consumed too much of the party’s time and attention since she became leader. She acknowledged that, with hindsight, she would have made some decisions differently and said she takes responsibility for decisions that were hers to make. She said she would not allow an internal battle over her leadership to remain a distraction from the work British Columbians need a strong opposition to do.

Her statement came hours after Surrey-Serpentine River MLA Linda Hepner left caucus. Hepner was the 10th MLA to leave caucus during Findlay’s leadership, with all citing concerns about her leadership. On Friday, Sept. 18, Findlay removed Skeena MLA Claire Rattée, Nechako-Lakes MLA John Rustad and Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford from caucus.

Findlay was elected party leader on May 30. Some former B.C. Conservative MLAs joined with Centre B.C. on Friday. Former MLA Reann Gasper resigned her Abbotsford-Mission seat at the end of August to allow Findlay to seek the seat in a byelection. Findlay said she remains the Conservative candidate; the byelection is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, and advance voting began Friday. The B.C. Conservatives currently have 24 sitting MLAs.