‘Implosion’: Warbus is seventh B.C. Conservative to quit caucus, blaming Findlay

Former Conservative house leader A’a:liya Warbus, along with six other Liberal Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), have recently resigned from the British Columbia Conservative Party. The departures, which have reduced the Opposition caucus to 30 members, come amid allegations of a rigid ideology within the party.

Warbus, who is of Sto:Lo First Nation, cited a lack of communication from party leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay as a key factor in her decision to leave. She also complained about a perceived "fluid interaction" between the leadership team and party members. Findlay, who narrowly won the party leadership, has focused on "faith, family and freedom" as her guiding principles.

Banman, another former MLA, echoed Warbus' concerns about the party's direction, accusing those around Findlay of creating a "purity test" to determine which MLAs are "hard right enough." He also criticized the party for celebrating the resignation of colleague Peter Milobar, who had criticized the party as too liberal.

The seven resignations have added to a series of departures, leading to calls for other Conservative MLAs to leave the caucus. Findlay is set to run in an upcoming byelection in Abbotsford-Mission on September 26, but Banman believes she is "unelectable" and may resign as a result.