The MLA for Peace River North says the BC Conservative Party has a lot to fix before he’d consider rejoining BC’s Official Opposition.
After John Rustad announced Thursday he’s stepping down as party leader, Jordan Kealy said it’s not about feeling vindicated—it’s still about serving his constituents in Peace River North.
Kealy left the party in March to sit as an independent, citing what he called “weak leadership” from Rustad. “When I joined the Conservatives, I became a team player and accepted him as leader, but over time I just saw more and more weak leadership,” he said.
Under Rustad, five Conservative MLAs have quit or been fired in the past year, and the party says none will be invited back until a new leader decides otherwise. Kealy said he’s been asked to return a couple of times but declined, wanting to avoid the “drama” and focus on his work. He might consider coming back if the next leader is honest, doesn’t spread false accusations, and avoids unreasonable demands.
MLA Trevor Halford has been chosen as interim leader until a leadership race is held—a move Kealy finds “alarming,” noting Halford’s past as a Liberal MLA before the party became BC United and later folded. “It feels like a Liberal takeover of the party,” Kealy said.
-with files from M. Popove CJDC
