Bruce Banman made an announcement on Thursday that he is stepping away from the B.C. Conservative caucus to serve as an Independent member, marking the sixth departure from the caucus following Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s election as party leader earlier this year. In a released statement, the Abbotsford South MLA highlighted concerns raised by many individuals who deem the new leader as “unelectable.” Banman expressed his decision with a sense of regret, revealing his intention to join a growing number of MLAs choosing to sit independently in the B.C. Legislature and extending an invitation to fellow MLAs, irrespective of their political affiliations, to follow suit.
The latest exit by Banman comes in the wake of Brennan Day from Courtenay-Comox and Teresa Wat from Richmond-Bridgeport leaving the caucus. Additionally, Rosalyn Bird from Prince George-Valemount and Ian Paton from Delta South departed on earlier dates. Notably, Paton and Milobar have declared their plans to establish a new political party.
Findlay’s leadership has also seen significant changes within the party staff, including the departure of key personnel such as executive director Angelo Isidorou, president Aisha Estey, and vice-president Sharon White. Furthermore, Apollo Chung, the caucus director of operations, was dismissed by Findlay recently.
Moreover, Reann Gasper, serving as an MLA for Abbotsford-Mission, announced her resignation to allow Findlay to contest in a forthcoming byelection, for which a date is yet to be determined. Subsequently, Gasper was appointed as the deputy chief of staff by the party.
Addressing the growing internal turmoil within the Conservative caucus, Vancouver businessman Yuri Fulmer, who also vied for party leadership, criticized the departing MLAs for prioritizing personal ambitions over the collective goal of challenging 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, insinuating underlying motives related to the leadership contest.
The ongoing exodus of MLAs coincides with criticisms faced by Kerry Lynne-Findlay over an audio recording that some members allege indicates efforts to incentivize party members to step aside for her.