Episode Details

Peter Milobar walked out of the B.C. Conservative caucus Friday morning. Not a backbencher with a grudge. The finance critic. Three-term Kamloops mayor, MLA since 2017, and the last big name of the moderate wing.

His reason: his values no longer align with the direction of the party under Kerry-Lynne Findlay.

He's the seventh MLA to leave or be pushed out since the 2024 election.

That's this week's Political Happy Hour.

• Peter Milobar on why he left, whether he asked anyone to come with him, and what he does next (1:18)

• Keith Baldrey on the bigger question underneath all of this. If the Conservatives keep moving right, does something new fill the free enterprise space in the centre? (13:20)

• Richard Zussman on the numbers that should be keeping that party up at night. Fifty-two per cent of British Columbians say the province is on the wrong track, cost of living is the top anxiety by a mile, and the opposition is still losing ground. Two separate polls, same finding. Findlay won the leadership and got no bounce at all. Not even a dead cat bounce (28:26)

The math in Victoria today: 48 New Democrats, 37 Conservatives, two Greens, six Independents.

Pull up a chair. Fire up the expense account.

The Jas Johal Show, weekdays 3 to 6 pacific time on 730 CKNW.

#bcpoli #cdnpoli #PoliticalHappyHour

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