B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad to face scheduled leadership review amid infighting

B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad is facing a leadership review this summer amidst turmoil within the centre-right party. The party has been hit with allegations of blackmail and has seen the formation of two splinter parties, creating a challenging environment for Rustad.

The leadership review, mandated by the party’s constitution, will be conducted on a riding-by-riding basis rather than at a large convention. The results of the review will be announced at a convention in the fall, with Rustad’s leadership at stake if he receives less than 50 percent support.

Recent allegations of blackmail have further complicated the situation. A leaked letter from Rustad accuses former party members who left to form the OneBC party of threatening to release text messages and secret recordings from Tory staff. The allegations have caused a stir within the party and have led to calls for investigations by the RCMP.

Despite the challenges facing Rustad, his party remains divided between moderate and social conservative factions. The formation of OneBC, which aims to appeal to social conservatives, and Centre B.C., targeting moderate centre-right voters, has further exacerbated the internal divisions.

Aisha Estey, the president of the B.C. Conservative Party, has emphasized the need for riding-by-riding leadership votes to ensure a fair and transparent process for party members. The party is working to conduct these votes over the summer, with the results to be announced at a later convention.

While some party members have expressed confidence in Rustad’s leadership, political scientist Stewart Prest believes that the infighting within the party is likely to continue. The challenge for Rustad will be to unite the diverse factions within the party and focus on the task at hand.

As the leadership review unfolds and the party grapples with internal divisions, the future of the B.C. Conservative Party remains uncertain. Rustad’s ability to navigate these challenges and unite the party will be crucial in determining its success in the upcoming elections.