Kerry-Lynne Findlay has resigned as leader of the B.C. Conservatives after weeks of turmoil and caucus departures.
She steps down after less than four months as leader.
Findlay said in a statement Sunday that too much time and attention has been consumed by internal conflict.
“I will not allow an internal battle over my leadership to become a continuing distraction from the work British Columbians need a strong opposition to do,” she said.
She also cited attacks on her character and unspecified threats directed toward her family.
“My family lives with the consequences of decisions I make in public life. And there comes a time when leadership requires you to consider not simply whether you can continue a fight, but whether continuing that fight serves the people and the cause you entered public life to serve. I have reached that moment,” said Findlay.
“I leave this position with my head held high, grateful for the opportunity to have served and confident that the principles that brought me into public life remain worth fighting for,” she said.
Findlay said she remains a candidate in the Abbotsford-Mission byelection.
In recent weeks, 10 MLAs have announced they were leaving the caucus over frustrations with Findlay’s leadership and concerns about her judgment, including Surrey-Serpentine River MLA Linda Hepner earlier Sunday.
Findlay was also plagued by various controversies, including legal questions about whether she offered MLAs any inducements to give up their seats so that she could run in a byelection. Several of her senior staff members also resigned or were dismissed.
Findlay announced Friday that she had removed three MLAs from the caucus: Trevor Halford, Claire Rattée and John Rustad.
She said the party needed to curb internal divisions, as speculation swirled that Premier David Eby would try to capitalize on the party’s disarray by calling an early election.
Rattée, who had openly criticized Findlay but said she intended to remain with the B.C. Conservatives, confirmed that at least 10 MLAs had signed a letter calling on Findlay to step down. The Skeena representative also disputed that Findlay had the authority to remove elected MLAs from the caucus.
Rattée issued a statement Sunday saying she was optimistic about the future of the party.
“Today’s leadership change gives our MLAs the opportunity to come together, chart a clear path forward and build a unified, credible government-in-waiting capable of defeating David Eby,” said Rattée.
“There can be no more petty disagreements, score-settling or purity tests. British Columbians expect us to rise above internal divisions and focus on the serious challenges facing our province,” she said.
The party had not immediately announced who would take over as interim leader.
