Bruce Banman declared on Thursday his decision to exit the B.C. Conservative caucus and transition to an Independent status, making him the sixth member to do so since Kerry-Lynne Findlay assumed the party leadership earlier this year. Expressing concerns about the electability of the new leader, Banman indicated that he was joining a growing number of MLAs in becoming an Independent within the B.C. Legislature. He urged his fellow MLAs, irrespective of their political affiliations, to follow suit.
This announcement by Banman follows the recent departures of Brennan Day, MLA for Courtenay-Comox, and Teresa Wat, MLA for Richmond-Bridgeport. Additionally, Rosalyn Bird from Prince George-Valemount and Ian Paton from Delta South also left the party earlier this week. Notably, Paton and Milobar have revealed plans to establish a new political party.
Since Findlay’s leadership appointment in late May, the B.C. Conservatives have experienced staff turnover, including the departure of key personnel like executive director Angelo Isidorou, president Aisha Estey, and vice-president Sharon White. Furthermore, Apollo Chung, the caucus director of operations, was dismissed by Findlay recently.
Reann Gasper, who served as an MLA for Abbotsford-Mission, announced her resignation to allow Findlay to contest in a forthcoming byelection. Gasper was subsequently appointed as the deputy chief of staff by the party. Yuri Fulmer, a Vancouver entrepreneur who also vied for the B.C. Conservative leadership, criticized the departing MLAs for prioritizing personal interests over defeating the B.C. NDP led by David Eby. Fulmer emphasized that departing MLAs had likely harbored intentions to leave long before giving the new leader a chance.