The B.C. Conservative Party has been rocked by recent turmoil, with Leader John Rustad making a controversial decision to expel MLA Elenore Sturko from the party caucus following a heated leadership review. Sturko, who denies organizing a leadership campaign against Rustad, alleges she was dismissed to silence her concerns about alleged violations of the Elections Act within the party. She criticizes Rustad’s leadership and accuses him of creating a toxic work environment.
Sturko, now planning to sit as an independent in Surrey-Cloverdale, expresses disappointment in Rustad’s failure to uphold promises of center-leaning politics within the party. The fallout from these events has raised questions about Rustad’s ability to lead the BC Conservatives effectively, with speculation mounting about potential leadership changes in the future.
Political experts, including UFV’s Hamish Telford, warn that Rustad’s decision to remove Sturko may backfire, leading to further fractures within the party. Telford predicts that Rustad’s leadership may be in jeopardy as discontent grows among caucus members. With the next provincial election on the horizon, the future of the BC Conservative Party remains uncertain amidst internal discord and leadership challenges.