High-profile MLA leaves BC United to join BC Conservatives

MLA Elenore Sturko is leaving BC United and joining the province’s Conservative Party.

In a statement, Sturko said she is making the switch to “rebuild the coalition that’s needed to defeat the NDP.”

Conservative Leader John Rustad said Sturko will be a “terrific addition” to the party and that her joining shows that support for the grassroots coalition is growing across B.C.

1:49 Has Elenore Sturko abandoned the LGBTQ2+ community by joining the BC Conservatives?

Sturko will be running in Surrey-Cloverdale for the Conservatives while candidate Jody Toor will now be running in Langley-Willowbrook.

She said at a press conference on Monday morning that she is excited.

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“I’m going to be honest with you, that making this decision was really difficult,” Sturko added.

“Ultimately, I’ve made this decision to join what really is the largest grassroots movement we’ve seen in our province.”

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When asked about BC Conservative candidate Paul Ratchford calling Sturko a “woke lesbian” in a previous tweet, Sturko said that she has not abandoned the LGBTQ2 community.

“I’m part of it,” she said.

“I’m going to say this, that in a big tent there’s room for everybody. And, you know, I’ve had plenty of discussions about, working together. We can continue to talk about the things that divide. But the reality is we need to find that common ground and work together.”

Sturko said the BC Conservatives and Rustad are “resonating” with British Columbians and there needs to be more focus on the issues that matter to residents the most.

“Right now, people are dying on waiting lists for health care, can’t afford to live in British Columbia, leaving the province in droves,” she said.

“And that’s what I’m going to be focused on.”

More to come.