B.C. Conservatives attempt 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.

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.

Niki Sharma, B.C. NDP Candidate:

“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.”