Two former B.C. Conservatives plan to form new party
Paton said the new party aims to give a home to voters who feel politically homeless after a decade of B.C. NDP rule.
- On Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, Delta South Conservative MLA Ian Paton announced he is leaving the Conservative Party of B.C. to sit as an Independent, making his statement from the front steps of the B.C. Legislature.
- Paton was joined by Independent Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar, who quit the caucus on Aug. 14, 2026, and together they intend to form a new party.
- Paton, the party's former agriculture critic, claimed the province is in "disarray" after a decade of the B.C. NDP and he "can't let opportunity for change" slip on by.
- Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay faces growing divisions within the party, which includes former Liberal MLAs, as Paton was one of at least three MLAs who refused to vacate their seats for her.
- Paton said they are forming a new party for those who feel "politically homeless," a move reflecting concerns about the direction of Findlay's leadership throughout this month.
40 Articles
40 Articles
Notable MLA leaves B.C. Conservatives with new party hopes
Another one of B.C.’s Conservative MLAs announced that they have left the caucus, citing concerns over the “new direction” of the party. On Monday morning, Ian Paton, who has been the MLA for Delta South since 2017, said that he will now sit as an Independent — less than two weeks after another prominent MLA, Peter Milobar, also left the B.C. Conservatives to sit as an Independent. Now, Paton and Milobar have announced that they intend to start …
Delta South MLA Paton ditches BC Conservatives
Indo-Canadian Voice Delta South MLA Paton ditches BC Conservatives posted by: Rattan MallBC 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 Columb…
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Two former B.C. Conservatives plan to form new party
VICTORIA — Two British Columbia MLAs who have recently defected from the provincial Conservatives say they are forming a new party. Ian Paton, the MLA for Delta South, says the Conservatives' direction under the party's new leader, Kerry-Lynne Findlay,...
Ian Paton leaves B.C. Conservative caucus, second MLA to leave since Kerry-Lynne Findlay became leader
Ian Paton leaves amid concerns about the direction of Kerry-Lynne Findlay's leadership. Peter Milobar, MLA for Kamloops Centre, left the caucus on Aug. 14, citing differences with the party's new leader.
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