Kerry-Lynne Findlay resigns as BC Conservatives leader

On the heels of the resignation of another BC Conservative MLA, Kerry-Lynne Findlay says she’s resigning as leader of the party.

Findlay made the announcement on X at about 1:30 p.m. local time, saying it was “not an easy decision” but called it the “right one” for the province.

“I will not allow an internal battle over my leadership to become a continuing distraction from the work British Columbians need a strong opposition to do,” Findlay wrote.

Her resignation comes just hours after Surrey-Serpentine River MLA Linda Hepner said she was resigning from caucus.

Hepner told Global News in an interview that it was the removal of John Rustad, Trevor Halford and Claire Rattee from caucus on Friday that prompted her to leave.

“I was just confounded on why making all of those three leave was ever a good strategic decision,” she said. “At that point, I decided enough is enough.”

Hepner is the 13th MLA to leave the party either voluntarily or after being ousted by the party leadership.

Hepner’s departure reduces the party caucus to 25 and comes as talk ramps up that Premier David Eby may call a snap election as soon as this week.

In own resignation letter, Findlay said she had wanted to travel the province and meet with residents to make the case for what a “strong, united” Conservative movement could do.

“Instead, from the outset, too much of our time and attention has been consumed by internal conflict,” she said.

Findlay also addressed decisions made in recent months, saying leadership requires accountability.

“I have made decisions I would make differently with the benefit of hindsight,” she said. “I have listened. I have reflected. And I take responsibility for the decisions that were mine to make.”

Though nothing has been announced, there are expectations a snap election could be called as early as this coming week.

But with the BC Conservatives without a leader, Findlay stressed the party “needs a reset.”