The Conservative Party of BC has thrown down the gauntlet, issuing ultimatums to members in ridings where their MLAs have defected to sit as Independents.
A March 11th letter, verified by CJDC-TV as an official party communication, reads in part: “As one cannot serve two parties, you will need to determine if you will be supporting the independent MLAs by serving on their executives, as volunteers or in a paid capacity.”
Director of Operations and Provincial Membership Chair Mark Robertson has given members until March 13 at 5:00 p.m. to make a decision.
“You are a valued party member, and we hope you will remain an active participant with this party,” said Robertson, who also highlighted the rise of the party under leader John Rustad, noting that the party went from zero to 44% of the popular vote in just 13 months.
While The BC Conservatives have yet to confirm the number of responses, they’re saying it has been “overwhelmingly positive.”
“While responses are still coming in, approximately 90%+ have been positive thus far,” Communications Officer Robert Eales told CJDC-TV. “Our members in the affected ridings have expressed their strong dissatisfaction with the newly independent MLAs, emphasizing the fact they were elected under the Conservative banner to work with the Official Opposition caucus.”
Peace River North MLA Jordan Kealy joins Dallas Brodie and Tara Armstrong, who moved to sit as Independents following upheaval that came after Rustad ousted Brodie when an interview clip of her mocking the testimony of residential school survivors surfaced online.
In a Facebook post, Kealy said his decision to quit the party was based on repeated instances of “disrespect, abuse, and dishonesty within the party.” It followed a scathing Facebook post last week, where Kealy expressed his loss of faith in Rustad, questioned conservative values, and accused the party of backroom games.
The trio are now looking to “explore the launch of a new political party” as whispers of up to 20 other Conservative legislators jumping ship circle within the party, according to Brodie.
CJDC-TV reached out to Jordan Kealy for comment, and will update this story once a response is received.