A group comprising five former B.C. Conservative MLAs is uniting to establish a novel provincial political entity led by Peter Milobar and Ian Paton. Rosalyn Bird, Bruce Banman, and Áʼa:líya Warbus, who recently departed from the Conservatives, disclosed their affiliation with the new party on Friday. The development follows a succession of nine exits from the B.C. Conservative caucus.
In a press statement, the MLAs of the yet-to-be-named party expressed their aim to present a reliable and substantial alternative to the NDP. Acting as the interim leader, Milobar stated that the party’s primary focus will be to address the daily concerns of British Columbians, emphasizing issues such as affordability, property rights, natural resource development, and healthcare, with a departure from strict ideological ties.
Milobar articulated his aspiration for the party to triumph over the NDP and assume governance, all while dismissing concerns of splitting the right-wing vote. He characterized the recent flurry of departures from the Conservative caucus as “chaotic.”
Milobar parted ways with the Conservative caucus on August 14 due to misaligned values with the new leadership, with Paton following suit shortly after. Their decision to establish a new political party was made public on August 24. Milobar will serve as the party’s interim leader until a permanent leader is elected by the caucus, with plans for an internal leadership vote before the legislature reconvenes on October 5.
With a total of five seats, the party intends to operate with official third-party status in the legislature.
