Bruce Banman has announced his decision to leave the B.C. Conservative caucus and will now serve as an Independent MLA, marking the sixth member to depart since Kerry-Lynne Findlay assumed leadership earlier this year. Banman, representing Abbotsford South, stated that concerns about the electability of the new leader have been raised to him multiple times. Expressing a heavy heart, he emphasized his move to join a growing number of MLAs sitting independently in the B.C. Legislature and encouraged others, regardless of party affiliation, to follow suit.
The announcement from Banman follows the recent exits of Brennan Day from Courtenay-Comox and Teresa Wat from Richmond-Bridgeport. Additionally, Rosalyn Bird of Prince George-Valemount and Ian Paton of Delta South left the party earlier this week. Paton and Milobar have declared their intention to establish a new political party.
Moreover, key staff members have departed from the B.C. Conservatives since Findlay’s leadership began, including executive director Angelo Isidorou, president Aisha Estey, and vice-president Sharon White. Findlay also terminated the caucus director of operations Apollo Chung.
In related developments, Reann Gasper, MLA for Abbotsford-Mission, announced her resignation to create a vacancy for Findlay to contest in a by-election, with the date pending. Gasper has since been appointed as the deputy chief of staff by the party.
Yuri Fulmer, a Vancouver entrepreneur who competed against Findlay for leadership, criticized departing MLAs for prioritizing personal agendas over defeating the B.C. NDP led by David Eby. Fulmer suggested that those who have left had premeditated their exits without giving the new leader a fair chance.
Internal conflicts within the Conservative caucus continue to fuel turmoil, with recent events prompting further departures and criticism directed at Findlay regarding alleged incentives for party members to step aside.
