FORSETH – If departure of three MLAs is needed for caucus unity, let it be so

REGRETTABLY, IN RECENT DAYS, issues within the Conservative Party of BC have come to the surface resulting in one member being removed from Caucus (Dallas Brodie) and the party, and two others (Tara Armstrong and Jordan Kealy) leaving of their own accord.

As of today (Saturday, March 8, 2025) all three are now sitting as independents in the B..C legislature.

So, what does that mean?

In the last 24 hours social media feeds have lit up with support for leader John Rustad, while others have been negative, accusing the party, and Rustad, of being bullies and not standing up for conservative values.

Ryan Painter, who has personally worked with John Rustad, had this to say:
“Since the beginning, he’s had one target: the BC NDP. He knows that British Columbians deserve a government that works for them, delivers on their promises, and doesn’t tax them into poverty. He believes in his team and the power of a focused opposition. He knows who the enemy is. He knows BC deserves better. I’m with John! I’m with the BC Conservatives.”

This from MLA Teresa Watt:
“The road a political party travels down is rarely a straight line. Today, that proved itself yet again. John Rustad made the right call. We must be respectful towards all citizens and our colleagues. But if there’s one truth in this world, it’s that tomorrow brings a new day. I am focused on improving the lives of British Columbians, holding this NDP government to account, and doing so alongside my BC Conservative caucus colleagues. I look forward to tomorrow.”

Here’s MLA Scott McInnis:
“The BC Conservative caucus is laser focused on the issues that matter most to British Columbians. We’re strong and cohesive in our approach to addressing what really matters in BC … today’s distractions have only solidified the core group who has the experience and talent do address the issues which 911,142 British Columbians elected us to do. This team is fully behind leader John Rustad and eager to press-on with fresh air in our sails.”

From MLA Harmon Bhangu:
“I Didn’t Spend Three Years Building This Just to Watch It Fall Apart—Not a Chance. We had some caucus members leave today. I respect their decisions but let me be absolutely clear about where I stand. I didn’t get into this just to push my own personal ideals or dictate how I think everyone should see the world. I got into this to fight for British Columbians and to build a real Conservative movement in this province.”

“I was the first one to step up and put my name on the ballot under the Conservative banner when this party was sitting at under two per cent. In that by-election, we didn’t just show up—we pulled in nearly 13 per cent and sent a message that British Columbians were ready for change.

“Since then, I have poured my heart and soul into this movement. I’ve done the work that nobody wanted to do — on the ground, pulling in support, getting things off the ground. Not for credit, not for recognition — but because I believe in this party, what it stands for, and most importantly, the people of this province. I believe in the future of this province.

“I believe in my kids, your kids, and the prosperity that British Columbia should have. And I’m not about to let that go to waste. This party will move forward. We are a Conservative party, and we will represent Conservatives. But we will also represent all British Columbians who are sick and tired of the BC NDP running this province into the ground.

“We are here to defeat David Eby and the BC NDP. That is my focus. That is my mission. And I will fight for it night and day, tooth and nail, until we get it done.”

And from my own Kamloops-North Thompson MLA, Ward Stamer:
“Past abuses of our First-Nations people are not something to be mocked, nor belittled; it doesn’t do anything to support reconciliation.  I stand 110% behind our leader, John Rustad.”

As for the detractors? Claims of toxicity … bullying … and making one compromise after the other. Kealy went so far as to say; “But I can’t do that (holding the NDP accountable) while stuck in a party that’s eating itself alive. The BC Conservatives have turned into “Liberal United Conservative 2.0″—different name, same backroom games.”

Maybe some of you are wondering where I stand, and what position I take? First, here’s some background:

As an individual who joined the BC Conservatives in 2010, under the leadership of the late federal MP John Cummins, I have seen the fortunes of the party ebb and flow from being a real contender for the reins of government, to shooting itself in the foot and destroying any chance of electing any MLAs. Regrettably that happened on several occasions.

I have been a past provincial board member, while the party was still struggling in the late 2010’s, and in 2020, I volunteered as the party’s media person as well as doing research.

I have sat on Riding Association Boards, and am currently the Riding Association secretary for Kamloops North Thompson.

I have volunteered on multiple election campaigns and three times been a campaign manager (2013 for Peter Sharp, 2020 for Dennis Giesbrecht and 2024’s winning campaign for Ward Stamer).

I speak from real, and actual, experience … unlike what I will call the ‘latest crop of whiners’ trying to tear this party apart … some with the ink barely dry on their membership cards.

If having three un-happy MLAs leave the party is what it takes to have unity within the caucus, then I say, “Fine; let it be so.”

I say that because I have personally seen the results that disunity brings about, and be damned if I’ll be silent while a handful of fractious malcontents try to force their will on the party.

The Conservative Party of BC has 41 strong MLAs who are more than capable of holding the feet of Premier David Eby’s NDP government to the fire. They have already shown they can, and as they gain even more experience in the B.C. Legislature, the people of B.C. will see they are indeed the government in waiting.

In conclusion, I’ll give the final word to another longtime Conservative Party of BC member, Kurt Peats:

“The three MLAs that left will leave the BC Conservatives in a much better position. At least we won’t have to be on eggshells waiting for the next bozo eruption to happen.”

Now, forward to 2028, and a provincial government led by the Conservative Party of BC.

Alan Forseth is a Kamloops resident. For 40 years he has been active, in a number of capacities, in local, provincial and federal politics, including running as a candidate for the BC Reform Party in the 1996 provincial election. He is secretary of the Conservative Party of B.C. He blogs at Thoughts on BC Politics and More.