BC Conservatives Expel Elenore Sturko; She Declares Independent

Surrey‑Cloverdale MLA Elenore Sturko was expelled from the B.C. Conservative caucus and removed from her public‑safety critic role the same day party leader John Rustad survived a leadership review with roughly 70–71% support. Rustad said he acted to secure caucus unity and reposition the party to defeat the NDP and return to core conservative priorities. Sturko said she was "absolutely blindsided," denied plotting against Rustad, has declared herself an Independent and vowed to remain an unfettered critic. Analysts and some party members warned Sturko’s dismissal will shrink the party’s appeal and signal a shift toward right‑of‑centre, populist politics rather than a big‑tent approach. The leadership vote drew very low turnout — about 1,268 ballots, roughly 15% of members — and Rustad won a majority in 78 of 93 ridings, raising questions about the strength of his mandate amid disputed memberships and prior defections. Several MLAs are reportedly considering leadership challenges, underscoring ongoing internal turmoil within the party.