BC Conservative MLA Jordan Kealy has announced his intention to start a new party.
The Peace River North representative said he had "lost faith" in leader John Rustad and the "Azim team" over the handling of the Dallas Brodie situation.
"On Thursday, I witnessed firsthand just how toxic the BC Conservative Party has become," Kealy wrote in a post on Facebook. "Some of the worst bullies sit in the legislature, and the BC Conservatives are no exception. I stood up for a fellow MLA who was harassed for speaking the truth, only to become a target myself."
He accused the party of having "created an environment where some so-called 'Conservatives' would rather throw cheap insults than deal with facts."
"I'm a real conservative, and I don't believe anyone should be bullied — no matter their background, beliefs, race, sexual orientation, or abilities," Kealy added. "Bullies have no place in leadership. We should be fighting *for* each other, not *with* each other."
He vowed to continue holding the BC NDP accountable, but explained that he "can't do that while stuck in a party that's eating itself alive."
"The BC Conservatives have turned into 'Liberal United Conservative 2.0'," he argued. "Different name, same backroom games."
Kealy added that as a farmer, "I know bullsh*t when I smell it," and that, "people don't want fake, scripted politicians. They want real, honest leadership."
"This is just the start of a new path," he concluded, "and a new party that respects Conservative values!!!"
Brodie was kicked out of caucus over comments Rustad deemed to be "belittling" to residential school survivors. His decision has divided opinion, with some supporting the move and others criticizing him.
More to come...