Kerry

Kerry-Lynne Findlay resigns as leader of the B.C. Conservative party

The leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia announced Sunday on social media she is resigning

Kerry-Lynne Findlay has resigned as the leader of B.C.'s Conservative party effective immediately.

Findlay made the announcement in a social media post Sunday afternoon.

"This was not an easy decision, but I believe it is the right one for our movement and our province," she wrote.

MLA Linda Hepner left the Conservative caucus just hours earlier, joining a growing group of MLAs the party has lost since Findlay was elected leader.

In her statement, Findlay said too much time and attention has been "consumed by internal conflict" and has been "spent fighting amongst ourselves."

But she said the voice of the party’s members — those who elected her leader in May — matters.

"No political party can ask its members for their time, their money, and their trust and then decide their voices only matter when they produce the outcome some people want," it said.

3 more B.C. Conservative MLAs out of caucus amid growing calls for leader to resign

She also wrote she has been subject to attacks on her character and threats.

"My children and grandchildren see what is written and said. My family lives with the consequences of decisions I make in public life," she said.

Findlay says she will remain the Conservative candidate in the Abbotsford-Mission byelection set for Sept. 26.

It comes during speculation that Premier David Eby may call a snap election in the coming days, disrupting municipal elections — set for Oct. 17 — with a provincial vote.

Michelle Gomez is a writer and reporter at CBC Vancouver. You can contact her at michelle.gomez@cbc.ca.