BC Conservative MLA Ian Paton (Delta South) announced on Monday that he will be sitting as an Independent member of the BC Legislature.

In a statement, Paton said: “I have had the privilege of representing Delta South in the Legislature since 2017. In 2024 I joined the BC Conservatives with the belief that it would become a broad coalition for British Columbians who wanted responsible, common-sense government. What united us was a broad belief in responsible government, private enterprise, fiscal discipline and building a strong
economy.

“It has become clear to me that the new direction of the Conservative Party of BC under the leadership of Kerry-Lynne Findlay is no longer aligned with my beliefs. I was elected to represent Delta South in Victoria. I was not elected to simply represent a political party in Delta South.

“My first responsibility as an MLA is to the people of Delta South who elected me and with that, effective immediately, I will be sitting as an Independent Member of the BC Legislature alongside MLA Peter Milobar.

“I want to be clear that our intention is to form a new party in the BC legislature to give a home to those who feel politically homeless in this province and to stop the NDP from further destruction of British Columbia.

“I’ll have more to say in the coming days.”