- Ian Paton announced on Monday that he is leaving the Conservative caucus to sit as an Independent.
- Paton and Peter Milobar plan to register a new party with Elections BC before the fall legislative session.
- Paton stated their intention is to "give a home to those who feel politically homeless" in B.C.
- Milobar expressed that many voters are dissatisfied with the governing New Democrats but do not see a path forward with the Conservatives under Findlay.
- Kerry-Lynne Findlay was elected leader of the B.C. Conservatives in May, which initiated a series of changes within the party.
- Executive director Angelo Isidorou, president Aisha Estey, and vice president Sharon White have all left their posts in recent weeks.
- Abbotsford-Mission MLA Reann Gasper resigned to allow Findlay to run for her seat in a byelection.
- Peter Milobar left the Conservative caucus earlier this month, citing a lack of ideological alignment with Findlay.
Ian Paton, MLA for Delta South, announced his departure from the B.C. Conservative caucus, joining Peter Milobar to form a new political party. Paton expressed dissatisfaction with the party's shift under new leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay, stating it no longer aligns with his beliefs.123458
Paton emphasized their goal is to “give a home to those who feel politically homeless” in B.C. He noted that constituents in Delta South have voiced their discontent, with “eight people or nine people out of 10” approaching him to express their concerns about the Conservatives' direction.
Milobar, who previously served as the Opposition finance critic, echoed Paton's sentiments, indicating that many voters are dissatisfied with the governing New Democrats but “do not see a path forward” with the Conservatives under Findlay. He mentioned that they plan to register their new party with Elections BC before the fall legislative session.
The departure of Paton marks a significant shift within the Conservative party, which has seen a series of high-profile exits since Findlay's election in May. This includes the resignations of executive director Angelo Isidorou and president Aisha Estey, among others. Paton reflected on the need for a centrist party, recalling that “797,000 people voted for a centrist party back then” in 2017, and expressed hope to attract those voters back to the political fold.
As the political landscape shifts, both Paton and Milobar are poised to offer an alternative for those disillusioned with the current Conservative leadership.
“Paton and Milobar plan to register with Elections BC before the fall legislative session, with Milobar noting they could be a party of two but hearing from caucus members that 'some may still come, some may not.' Paton cited a 'purging' of staff and leadership under new leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay, who has pushed the party right on 'faith, freedom and family.'”
Global News
