Surrey-Serpentine River MLA Linda Hepner has announced her departure from the BC Conservative caucus.
She will sit as an Independent.
Hepner announced her decision in a statement Sunday, explaining that she'd had concerns about Kerry-Lynne Findlay's leadership for a while, but that it was the recent removal of John Rustad, Claire Rattée, and Trevor Halford that pushed her over the edge.
"After decades in public life, I remain committed to the conservative principles, to responsible government, and to representing British Columbians with common sense and integrity," she wrote. "I have however lost confidence in that happening, and with the leadership's willingness to listen, to seek experienced advice, and to consider perspectives beyond its immediate circle."
Hepner described the excommunication of the aforementioned trio as "beyond the pale of common sense."
"Add to that the early hiring disasters to the private investigator allegations, it is now a distracting cacophony of voices that are not grounded in the everyday concerns of British Columbians," she lamented.
Hepner made it clear that she is, and always will be "a centrist conservative," and that she will "continue to serve [her] constituents of Surrey Serpentine River and British Columbians with independence, common sense and respect."
"My heart is heavy to leave those in caucus I've come to care for and to admire," she concluded, "but my tolerance for the current upheaval has been exhausted."
Hepner is the tenth MLA to leave the party since August, joining Peter Milobar, Ian Paton, Rosalyn Bird, Teresa Wat, Brennan Day, Bruce Banman, Á’a:líya Warbus Donegal Wilson, and Scott McInnis.
More to come...
