Courtenay-Comox MLA Brennan Day says he is quitting the B.C. Conservatives to sit as an Independent, becoming the fifth MLA to leave the caucus in recent weeks.
“The current direction of the Conservative Party of BC under Kerry-Lynne Findlay is no longer something I can support. More fundamentally, I have lost confidence in the judgement, conduct, and ethical standards of her leadership and those she has chosen to surround herself with,” Day said in a statement.
His departure came hours after Richmond-Bridgeport MLA Teresa Wat said she was leaving the B.C. Conservatives. Rosalyn Bird, Ian Paton and Peter Milobar have also broken from the party.
All are currently sitting as Independents, but Milobar and Paton have said they intend to start a new centre-right political party. So far, none of their fellow Independents have publicly committed to joining them.
Bird told Vista News on Wednesday she is not looking to immediately join forces with Milobar and Paton, saying she is focusing on several initiatives in her riding, but did not rule it out in the future.
Findlay did not immediately comment on Day’s decision.
Findlay said in a statement Tuesday that the party remains focused on British Columbians despite the recent resignations.
“We intend to open nominations promptly in ridings where new opportunities exist,” she said. “We are already attracting strong, capable nominees who share our commitment and love their communities. Our door is open to those who want to build, not tear down.”
Meanwhile, Findlay announced the firing of the party’s director of operations, Apollo Chung, on Wednesday. She did not provide any details about the decision in a brief statement.
-With files from Brendan Pawliw
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