BC Conservative Committee Urges John Rustad to Resign in Open Letter
The BC Conservative Party’s management committee has urged leader John Rustad to resign. In a recent open letter, they expressed their concerns about his leadership amid declining party performance.
Concerns Raised in Open Letter
While the committee lacks the authority to remove Rustad, the letter’s signatories include influential members who played a crucial role in securing 44 seats in the last provincial election. The message highlights a series of troubling issues:
- Declining poll numbers
- Decrease in memberships
- Lower fundraising efforts
- Shrinking caucus and staff
- Inconsistent policy direction
- Low morale among party members
- Lack of enthusiasm and support from the membership
The committee emphasized that Rustad needs to unite the party and provide clarity moving forward. They stated that his current leadership no longer fulfills this essential purpose.
Response from Amelia Boultbee
This plea for Rustad’s resignation follows recent developments within the party. Notably, Penticton-Summerland MLA Amelia Boultbee announced her departure from the BC Conservative Party to serve as an independent.
Boultbee expressed her surprise at both her decision and the committee’s letter, emphasizing its significance. She expressed her hope that Rustad would acknowledge the serious issues at hand instead of remaining in denial about the party’s state.
Rustad’s Position
In response to the letter, Rustad firmly stated he would not resign. He characterized the concerns raised as an “internal matter” and mentioned his intention to discuss these issues with the management committee.
The ongoing situation reflects significant challenges for the BC Conservative Party, raising questions about its future direction and Rustad’s leadership.
