B.C. Conservatives Retain John Rustad with 70.66% Leadership Vote

John Rustad has successfully passed a leadership review to remain leader of the British Columbia Conservative Party, securing just over 70% support from 1,268 voting members across 93 ridings. Rustad won 78 ridings, lost 10, tied in three, and two ridings had no votes cast, giving him a clear mandate to continue leading the party. The leadership review was mandated after Rustad's loss in the October election and was overseen by an impartial third party, with Mark Robertson serving as the returning officer. Despite allegations of voter fraud involving fake memberships, the party disqualified ineligible voters and confirmed that only members in good standing participated. In addition to the leadership vote, 80% of members approved Rustad's 11-point Leadership Pledge, which emphasizes issues such as cracking down on violent crime, protecting children in schools, defending property rights, and reforming healthcare. Rustad expressed confidence that British Columbians are seeking an unapologetic, common sense Conservative government and pledged to focus on getting back to Conservative basics.