The MLA for Peace River North says the BC Conservative Party has a lot of work to do before he would consider rejoining BC’s Official Opposition.
After John Rustad announced he’s stepping down as party leader Thursday, Jordan Kealy said it’s not about being vindicated, it’s still all about how to best to serve his constituents in the riding of Peace River North.
Kealy quit the BC Conservative Party in March to sit as an independent because of what he calls ‘weak leadership’ from Rustad.
“When I joined the Conservative Party, I became a team player and I accepted him as a leader. A lot of things happened in caucus where I just saw more and more, very weak leadership.”
Under Rustad’s leadership, five Conservatives MLA’s have been fired or quit the party in the last year. The party says none of those MLA’s will be invited back until a new leader is chosen and makes that decision.
Kealy said he has been invited back to the party a couple of times. “I’ve chosen not to go back because all I have seen is drama. I’ve been focused on doing my job as an MLA, I don’t need drama to consume my time.”
Kealy said, “I might consider going back, but it would have to be a leader that that is honest, doesn’t lie, doesn’t accuse me of blackmailing their staff, when I never did. Demanding personal cell phones, some of the stuff is just ridiculous.”
MLA Trevor Halford has been chose to be the interim leader of the party until a leadership race is held. It’s a decision Kealy calls ‘alarming.’
Halford was a Liberal MLA before the party rebranded itself to BC United and then folded in 2024.
“The interim leader that’s currently taking his place, was one of the Liberals that came into the party in the late portion of the campaign. For me, it’s kind of alarming. I think it’s really just a Liberal take over of the party,” said Kealy.