BC Conservative MLA Bruce Banman Leaves Party, Cites Concerns Over New Leadership

Bruce Banman, the MLA for Abbotsford-South, has announced his departure from the BC Conservative Party, becoming the latest elected official to leave the party. In a statement released Thursday, Banman expressed concerns that the party's new leadership is alienating voters and increasing the likelihood of an NDP victory.

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After numerous conversations with many of my constituents, it has become clear under the new leadership and direction of the Conservative Party of BC, an NDP win is becoming increasingly likely. For the sake of the future of this province, we must defeat this NDP government.

"After numerous conversations with many of my constituents, it has become clear under the new leadership and direction of the Conservative Party of BC, an NDP win is becoming increasingly likely. For the sake of the future of this province, we must defeat this NDP government," Banman stated. He added that since Kerry-Lynne Findlay was selected as leader, he has observed the "political tent needed to defeat the NDP getting smaller, not larger."

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The goal in politics is to make the tent bigger. To listen to the majority. It’s not about left or right. It’s about doing what’s right.

Banman's decision follows a trend of recent defections from the BC Conservatives. He joins Brennan Day, Teresa Wat, Rosayln Bird, Ian Paton, and Peter Milobar, all of whom have cited concerns about Findlay's leadership as their reason for leaving. Banman emphasized the importance of unity, stating, "People of all walks of life tell me we need a group to pull together, defeat this NDP government, open up our vast resources again and bring prosperity back to the province they and I so deeply love."

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People of all walks of life tell me we need a group to pull together, defeat this NDP government, open up our vast resources again and bring prosperity back to the province they and I so deeply love.

He further elaborated on the sentiment he has encountered, noting, "Person after person has informed me they have decided that our new leader is unelectable." Consequently, Banman announced he would be sitting as an Independent MLA in the BC Legislature and encouraged other MLAs, regardless of political affiliation, to join him. This move comes just days after Findlay posted a photo with Banman on social media, thanking him and other MLAs for their community work.

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Person after person has informed me they have decided that our new leader is unelectable.