BC Conservatives surge back from turmoil to secure strong majority government
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After weathering internal disputes and defections, the British Columbia Conservative Party united behind Lorne Doerkson as interim leader and won a majority in the provincial election called by Premier David Eby.
The British Columbia Conservative Party overcame a stretch of internal turbulence to win a majority government in the provincial election held on September 22. The party had been rocked by staff dismissals, MLA resignations and expulsions, and investigations into alleged political inducements. Interim leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay resigned on September 20, clearing the way for MLA Lorne Doerkson to assume leadership.
Doerkson, who learned of his appointment while traveling abroad, quickly reached out to former party members, including expelled MLA Peter Milobar, to negotiate a reunification plan. The effort was supported by party chair Jody Toor and a majority of the caucus, leading to a swift re-assembly of a full slate of candidates.
"It’s important to recognize that when people left the caucus, myself and others, it wasn’t because there was this big rift between people within the caucus room. It was really around leadership, leadership decisions and electoral viability," Milobar said.
Campaign strategist Katy Merrifield, who had previously worked for leaders such as Christy Clark and Pierre Poilievre, was brought in as campaign director despite controversy over a past social-media post. She remained in the role after defending her record and helping monitor the campaign’s impact.
Internal polling showed the Conservatives gaining momentum, while the NDP’s attacks on the party’s stance toward U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies failed to resonate. On election night, the Conservatives secured 63 seats, delivering a comfortable majority in the legislature.
"All that happened is that we did a good enough job of walking and chewing gum at the same time," said senior strategist Brad Zubyk, highlighting the party’s ability to retain its base while expanding its coalition.
The victory marks a dramatic turnaround for a party that had been described as being in "political wilderness" just months earlier.