‘There will be more’: Notable MLA leaves B.C. Conservatives with new party hopes
Another one of B.C.’s Conservative MLAs announced that they have left the caucus, citing concerns over the “new direction” of the party.
On Monday morning, Ian Paton, who has been the MLA for Delta South since 2017, said that he will now sit as an Independent — less than two weeks after another prominent MLA, Peter Milobar, also left the B.C. Conservatives to sit as an Independent.
Now, Paton and Milobar have announced that they intend to start a new party in the B.C. legislature, with Milobar as the Interim leader.
“It has become clear to me that the new direction of the Conservative Party of B.C. under the leadership of Kerry-Lynne Findlay is no longer aligned with my beliefs,” said Paton in a statement.
“I was elected to represent Delta South in Victoria. I was not elected to simply represent a political party in Delta South.”
On June 29, Findlay announced that Paton was to be part of the “new caucus leadership team” as the “Lower Mainland Lieutenant.” She said that this leadership team “represents a unified force.”
Ian Paton
On July 3o, Paton announced on X that he had stepped down as the “Lower Mainland Lieutenant” for the B.C. Conservatives. He said he “simply” didn’t have enough time, given his MLA responsibilities, running a farm, and wanting to spend time with family.
“This decision has nothing to do with any disagreement or dissatisfaction with the Conservative Party of British Columbia or its leadership. Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay is a longtime friend who continues to have my full support, and I remain committed to serving the people of Delta South and helping our team form government,” he wrote.
Reaction to Paton’s decision to leave B.C. Conservatives
Earlier today, Findlay posted on X, saying she was “disappointed” by Paton’s decision, but thanked him for his contributions to their caucus.
“The Conservative Party of B.C. remains firm and steadfast in our mission to defeat the NDP and restore prosperity, opportunity and accountability to British Columbia,” she wrote.
On X, users speculated that more MLAs will follow Paton and Milobar out of the caucus.
“There will be more,” wrote a user on X, adding, “Guaranteed.”
There will be more.
Guaranteed.
— Mark Marissen (@marissenmark) August 24, 2026
“Why would voters make the leap to support the B.C. Conservatives when KLF can’t maintain the support of the party’s own MLAs?” wrote another.
“Do other Conservative MLAs follow Paton and Milobar out the door?” said another.
Lots of change for the B.C. Conservatives
Amelia Boultbee is another former B.C. Conservative who recently left the party, although she joined the NDP rather than going Independent.
A number of staffing changes have recently occurred in the B.C. Conservatives. On Aug. 20, the president and vice-president of the B.C. Conservatives, Aisha Estey and Sharon White, stepped down and were replaced by Mauro Francis and Pavneet Singh.
Further, Mark Robertson, the director of political operations and membership, left the party on Aug. 4. In a social media post announcing his departure, he wrote that he hopes that Findlay’s new staff “do not squander this opportunity to build on the work that has been accomplished so far.”
Findlay does not currently have a seat in the legislature, but MLA Reann Gasper stepped down over the weekend from her Abbotsford-Mission seat so that the party leader can try to win it through a by-election.