The newly appointed leader of the Conservative Party of BC, Lorne Doerkson, has announced that his party will pull together to present a united front in the newly announced provincial election.
Doerkson, MLA for the Cariboo-Chilcotin riding, has been appointed as the interim leader of the Conservatives after a unanimous caucus vote.
The party’s board of directors also confirmed that if he is able to lead the party to a victory in the October 24th provincial snap election, he will remain as the permanent party leader and become premier.
Although party bylaws usually do not allow an interim leader to automatically become the permanent leader without a formal leadership race, the board says that it will bypass a new leadership race if they win.
To do this the board says they will use a constitutional amendment to solidify his status as the permanent leader.
An amendment such as this to the party’s constitution would require a two-thirds majority vote of its members.
In a press conference held on Tuesday, September 22nd, Doerkson spoke to voters, saying the party was putting the chaotic weeks of Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s leadership behind them.
Doerkson was announced as the interim leader on Sunday, and immediately had to step up as the party’s figurehead in the midst of an election.
He said in the conference that Eby is going to regret the decision to call an election.
When Eby called the election, he said the primary reason for the timing was due to ongoing threats from United States President Donald Trump.
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He also said repeatedly that “it is never wrong to ask British Columbians about the direction of the province.”
During his announcement, Eby also stated that the BC Conservatives “fan the flames” of threats coming from south of the border.
Doerkson thanked all the defected MLAs who had left the BC Conservatives during Findlay’s reign for returning to the party.
These MLAs include Peter Milobar, former party leader John Rustad, Trevor Halford and Scott McInnis.
“British Columbians need viable governing alternatives to the NDP caste that we’ve seen so that we can rebuild British Columbia into a place where we all deserve,” said Doerkson.
“It is absolutely appalling what is happening with billions and billions of dollars that British Columbians have contributed to run this province at a time when BC and Canada are facing unacceptable threats, tariffs and rhetoric from a bully south of the border.”
He added that BC needs a government that is strong and willing to fight for the province.
More information on the BC Conservatives platform will be revealed in the coming weeks.
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