B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad is facing a scheduled leadership review this summer amidst internal party infighting and allegations of blackmail against former MLAs who formed a splinter party, OneBC. The review, conducted riding-by-riding, requires Rustad to secure over 50% support. Political scientists note Rustad's ongoing challenge in uniting moderate and social conservative factions within the party, further complicated by the emergence of another splinter party, Centre B.C.
B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad to face scheduled leadership review amid infighting
British ColumbiaKelownaB.C. Conservative PartyAisha EsteyDallas BrodieGavin DewJordan KealyLeader John RustadTara ArmstrongExtortion and threatsBritish Columbia provincial electionsCaucusesConservatismNeo-conservatism
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad is facing a scheduled leadership review this summer amidst internal party infighting and allegations of blackmail against former MLAs who formed a splinter party, OneBC. The review, conducted riding-by-riding, requires Rustad to secure over 50% support. Political scientists note Rustad's ongoing challenge in uniting moderate and social conservative factions within the party, further complicated by the emergence of another splinter party, Centre B.C.
- 1 March: Dallas Brodie kicked out of Conservative caucus.
- 2 Shortly after March: Tara Armstrong and Jordan Kealy leave party.
- 3 Last week: Undated letter from Rustad alleging blackmail leaked.
- 4 Saturday: Party members in Kootenay-Rockies riding vote.
- 5 Monday: Gavin Dew asked about confidence in Rustad.
- 6 June 30: Another vote set to take place in Surrey.
- 7 This summer: John Rustad's leadership review to take place riding-by-riding.
- 8 Fall: Results of leadership review announced at convention.
- Continued internal party strife
- Potential for Rustad to lose leadership
- Fragmentation of the centre-right vote in British Columbia
- Distraction from holding the NDP accountable
What: B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad is set to face a scheduled leadership review this summer, amidst allegations of blackmail against former MLAs who formed a splinter party (OneBC) and ongoing infighting between moderate and social conservative factions within the party.
When: Published June 24, 2025. This summer: Leadership review to take place. Fall: Results announced at a convention. Saturday: Party members in Kootenay-Rockies riding voted. June 30: Another vote set to take place in Surrey. Last week: Undated letter from Rustad leaked. March: Dallas Brodie kicked out of Conservative caucus. Monday: Gavin Dew asked about confidence in Rustad.
Where: British Columbia, Canada. Kootenay-Rockies riding, Surrey, Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream, Peace River North, Vancouver-Quilchena.
Why: The leadership review is part of the party's constitution. The infighting stems from ideological divisions (moderate vs. social conservatives) and specific incidents like the alleged blackmail and the departure of MLAs.
How: The leadership review will be conducted on a riding-by-riding basis. Rustad needs over 50% support to retain his position. The party is attempting to manage the "unfortunate distraction" of the blackmail allegations.