Kerry-Lynne Findlay has been voted the new leader of the BC Conservative Party.
In a tight race that came down to four rounds of voting, Findlay received 4,696.51 points, or 51 per cent of the vote, to win.
Caroline Elliott came a very close second with 49 per cent of the vote.
There were five candidates for the leadership race: Iain Black, Caroline Elliott, Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Yuri Fulmer and Peter Milobar.
In the first round of votes, Milobar was eliminated.
In fifth with 971.34 points, equating to 10.5 per cent of the vote, was Milobar.
In fourth, 1,193.27 points, equating to 13 per cent, was Fulmer.
In third with 1,865.82 points, equating 20.3 per cent, was Black.
In second place, with 2,374.14, otherwise 25.8 per cent, was Elliott.
In first with 2,806.42, equating to 30.5 per cent, was Findlay.
In the second round of votes, Fulmer was eliminated.
In fourth with 1,282.52, or 13.9 per cent, was Fulmer.
In third with 2,328.21 points, or 25.3 per cent, was Black.
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In second with 2,638.72 points, or 28.6 per cent, was Elliott.
In first with 2,961.53 points, or 32.2 per cent. was Findlay.
In the third round, Black was eliminated.
In third with 2,767.51 points, or exactly 30 per cent, was Black.
In second, with 2,883.71 points or 31.3 per cent, was Elliott.
In first with 3,559.78 points or 38.6 per cent, was Findlay.
“It is a race that has been shaped very much about articulating opposition to the direction of the NDP, but also opposition between one another,” Stewart Prest, a political science professor at the University of British Columbia, said.
“We really see the articulation of two different views of what it means to be Conservative broadly on the stage, where we have two candidates, Iain Black and Peter Milobar, who are more associating themselves with a kind of moderate, big-tent approach to conservatism that tries to appeal to moderate voters.
“But the other three candidates, Caroline Elliott, Kerry-Lynne Findlay and Yuri Fulmer, all in some ways are really trying to signal that they are a more popular style of candidate and that they’re trying to cut any perceived ties with some of the history of the right of centre in the province, including dissociating themselves from the BC Liberal Party.”
Prest said that whoever wins this race is going to have to find a way to continue to go against the BC NDP, but do so in a way that keeps the BC Conservative Party unified.
“It is in some ways a young party,” he said.
“It is still very much showing some of the signs of having this past shaped by more moderate Conservatives, but also this more populist and more skeptical version of conservatism that’s become more common recently. And that’s going to be a challenge, to put it mildly, because we have seen evidence of almost like fractional politics on the right recently.”
Prest said there isn’t a clear frontrunner for the leadership position, so the vote will be an interesting one.
“We do see the different leaders have their own views, but polling suggests that it is that more moderate wing of the party that would stand a better chance to kind of pivot to the general election, to use a metaphor,” he added.
“It is this sense of trying to build the larger tent to bring over centrist voters that sends the best chance of defeating the NDP.”
Bob B1tch – Hey idiot. Usually when people say that they’re not worried it usually means they’re worried. You’re the perfect poster child for the failed BC Conservatives and their far-right conspiracy theory bullsh1t. When she loses the next election you’ll see how outnumbered MAGAtards like you really are in BC
I am not worried JV.
All any candidate has to do is say they will repeal DRIPA.
Recently polls have 60% of voters wanting DRIPA un legislated. 30% of NDP voters the same. 90% of all current MLAs would have voted for a repeal, amendment or suspension. LOL
This next election is done and dusted unless Eby grows a pair and suspend DRIPA after WC.
Only an absolute idiot would vote for this racist Karen. I heard half of her own party doesn’t even like her. In other words she has zero chance to win the next election in BC. Too funny 🤣
The perfect leader for the white nationalists in BC. A total loser
Now we’ll get to see what kind of loon she is. All Cons are loons of some variety, but some are loonier than others.
A far more accomplished lawyer and politician than Eby ever was or Rustad in terms of private business for that matter. .
The NDP barely won vs Rustad so this should be easy.
You had 5 tires low on air….and you guys picked the flattest one ! MR. EBY THANKS YOU though !!!!….
OUCH !!! We even feel bad… we’re hoping for a little challenge?!
Hmmm I am not sure she is y to h e’d right pick. Not as bad as Rustad but still a little on the loon side for me,
NDP won a majority by only two seats. In three close riding races NDP only won by a total of 380 votes combined for those ridings.
380 votes the other way and we wouldn’t have this gong show of a government.
Rustad was a right wing loon so a more moderate leader should be enough to swing even more seats.
We have debt and deficits and it’s getting worse, lower credit ratings so it’s costing more to refinance, investment and capital is fleeing due to taxes and economic gridlock and uncertainty because of DRIPA.
It’s a shambles!
When was the voting?
The new circus ring leader will be announced ASAP. How exciting!
Why does Global ask a NDPer his thoughts on the Conservatives.
Who ever it is will suck trumps coc