Yesterday, B.C. Conservative Interim Leader Lorne Doerkson acknowledged that the party’s far-right base would make the final call on party leadership – after British Columbians have voted.

Political scientist Hamish Telford called it a problem, noting that the B.C. Conservative membership could reject Doerkson:

“The Conservatives do have a problem. Their constitution prohibits an interim leader from going on to be permanent leader and Premier.”

“The base who voted for Kerry-Lynne Findlay and Caroline Elliott – who wasn’t that different in my view from Kerry-Lynne Findlay, in terms of the views that she was espousing – may not be happy with Doerkson. That may not be the leader that they want.” (CTV News)

Innovative Research President Greg Lyle called the issue his top question for the coming weeks:

“Number one: I'm looking for the Conservatives to come up with a strong answer to the question of who is really going to be Premier. The NDP have raised the question of according to your own rules, Doerkson actually can't be the leader, but if he was to be the leader, he still has to go through a convention, and this is the party that elected Kerry-Lynne Findlay.” (Global News)

No wonder the party has conjured a convoluted and flimsy legal scheme to skirt their own constitution by calling a leadership election that lasts years – or never ends at all.

Doerkson might be “betting on” the party’s pro-Trump wing taking his appointment in stride, but after years of factional infighting and 4 leaders in 10 months, why should British Columbians gamble the province’s future on this chaotic party?