THE BC NDP on Friday said that the B.C. Conservatives are attempting to obscure the process required to make Lorne Doerkson the permanent leader of their party.
On Monday, Interim Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson was asked if he would be replaced if he won the election. He hedged:
“Uh, my feeling at this point is that I’m running for Premier, right now.”
The B.C. Conservative constitution stipulates that a leadership race must be held within 12 months, and that an Interim Leader such as Doerkson would be ineligible for that race. This means a constitutional amendment is required for Doerkson to stay on as leader, even if he wins.
Afterwards, the B.C. Conservatives issued a statement saying they would “pursue the appropriate means under the Party’s Constitution” to make that change.
The NDP said that what they didn’t disclose is that this change requires a two-thirds vote of party members at a general meeting.
“10.03: The Constitution and Bylaw Review Committee Chair shall present the proposed changes to the Constitution and Bylaws to the attendees at the AGM or SGM to be voted on as a special resolution requiring a two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Members present for adoption.” (B.C. Conservative Constitution, page 10)
Those are the same party members who elected Kerry-Lynne Findlay just four months ago, and who have been in a factional civil war for most of the last two years, the NDP noted.
Niki Sharma, BC NDP candidate, said: “The bottom line is the B.C. Conservatives have no way of guaranteeing who would be the Premier if they won this election. And they haven’t been upfront about this because they know that British Columbians will never write a blank cheque to the same pro-Trump faction that just picked Kerry-Lynne Findlay. British Columbians just can’t afford that risk.”
THE BC Conservatives reacted by saying that David Eby called an election two years early, and instead of explaining why British Columbians needed to go to the polls, his campaign is desperately trying to change the subject.
“The rules are straightforward: after an election, the Lieutenant Governor asks the person who can command the confidence of the legislature to form a government,” they added.
“David Eby knows that. He became premier without a single British Columbian voting for him to lead the province and without even facing a contested leadership vote.”
The BC Conservatives said that British Columbians aren’t sitting around worrying about political process. They’re worried about grocery bills, housing costs, taxes, ER closures and whether they can still afford to build a life in this province.
“After years in power, the NDP should have to defend its record. Instead, they’re looking for anything that will distract from it. They called this election. They should explain why,” they added;
“We’re going to spend this campaign talking about the issues British Columbians actually care about and why this province needs a change in government.”
