The Rise and Fall of British Columbia's Conservative Party

When it comes to Canada, there is an understandable focus on tensions with the United States on trade amid the desires of the Trump Administration to annex its neighbor to the north.

There is also considerable attention to the forthcoming provincial election in Quebec as well as the Alberta referendum to determine if there will be a referendum on separation.

While these events loom large, I am fascinated by what is happening to the Conservative Party of British Columbia.

Less than two years ago, the B.C. Conservatives went from being a non-entity to coming within striking distance of forming a provincial government and ousting the NDP from power.

Yet success came too fast too soon. Just over a year after nearly becoming Premier, John Rustad was ousted as Conservative Party leader following a series of expulsions and defections from the party caucus.

Just over three months ago, B.C. Conservatives chose former Conservative MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay as their new leader.

But in less than 100 days as party leader, Findlay has seen 9 Conservative MLAs defect from her caucus. 

Much of this stems from Findlay's autocratic and dogmatic behavior. Among other things, Findlay assailed the Aboriginal ancestry of the wife of leadership rival Peter Milobar who was the first MLA to defect during her leadership. 

Then there were Findlay's attempt to offer financial inducements to MLAs to resign so she could run for the legislature in a by-election. Reann Gasper did resign her seat so Findlay could run and now Findlay has rewarded her by appointing her chief of staff. The problem here is that this is illegal and the RCMP is now looking into the matter. 

To make matter worse, Findlay has also surrounded herself with a staff full of Alberta separatists. 

Five of the nine ex-Tory MLAs have formed a new, yet to be named party under the joint leadership of Milobar and Ian Paton.

In exactly three weeks, Findlay faces voters in a by-election. Whether she wins or loses, I suspect there will be more defections to this new opposition party. 

With a divided opposition, speculation has grown as to whether B.C. Premier David Eby will call a snap election only two years into his mandate. While this strategy might favor the NDP with a weakened opposition, calling an election for the sake of calling an election could also backfire and voters could give this unknown party a chance to govern even if it doesn't have a clear platform. An early election could be the final straw for voters with the NDP after nearly a decade in power.

At this point, it might be best for Eby not to interrupt the Conservatives while they make mistakes left, center and right.