One of AbbotsfordB次元官网网址檚 MLAs has left the BC United political party.
Bruce Banman, MLA for Abbotsford South, announced Wednesday that heB次元官网网址檚 joined the Conservative Party of British Columbia after B次元官网网址渃areful consideration.B次元官网网址�
In a press release he said he is proud to join his B次元官网网址渇riend John Rustad as the voice for everyday hardworking people and that the Conservatives are the B次元官网网址渙nly party that stands for whatB次元官网网址檚 right in the legislature, rather than whatB次元官网网址檚 politically convenient or politically correct.B次元官网网址�
Banman was elected in 2020 as a BC Liberal, the former name of BC United, with 44 per cent of the vote. At the time he was also an Abbotsford city councillor, a role he had held since 2018. He stepped down from council in February 2021 to focus solely on being MLA. That triggered by-election for one city council seat, which was won by Dave Sidhu.
Prior to that, he was mayor of Abbotsford from 2011 to 2014.
On Wednesday, he said he moved parties because the Conservatives have B次元官网网址渃ommon sense.B次元官网网址�
The Conservative Party of British Columbia has made history today! Please join us in welcoming Dr. Bruce Banman to our caucus! A strong and principled advocate for his constituents, Bruce will sit as our second MLA in the legislature.
B次元官网网址� Conservative Party of BC (@Conservative_BC)
Release:
B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 support Trudeau-backed policies like the punishing carbon tax that hurts everyday people; we refuse to condone the ideological NDP education agenda that teaches students what to think instead of how to think; and, we will never support the myth of safe supply that kills British Columbians and poisons our communities with hard drugs,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淚 believe B.C. needs a leader who is a straight up, decent human being B次元官网网址� and a party thatB次元官网网址檚 willing to put politics aside to stand for whatB次元官网网址檚 right.B次元官网网址�
He said Rustad is that leader.
Banman is now the second MLA in the province under the Conservative banner, the same number as the Green Party. This also will give them official party status.
He was serving as the BC UnitedB次元官网网址檚 shadow minister for Emergency Management, Climate Readiness and Citizen Services.
BC United leader Kevin Falcon said BanmanB次元官网网址檚 departure B次元官网网址渨as not entirely unexpected due to ongoing internal management challenges with BruceB次元官网网址� and that B次元官网网址渉is decision betrays the Abbotsford constituents who elected him as a member of our team. But as we move forward, our focus remains unwavering.B次元官网网址�
Falcon added that B次元官网网址渙ur focus will remain on championing big ideas and nominating incredible candidates B次元官网网址� including in Abbotsford South B次元官网网址� who will work to restore confidence in British Columbia.B次元官网网址�
Abbotsford South has a history of MLAs leaving the Liberals. John van Dongen was elected a Liberal in 2009, then left the party to sit as a Conservative, then as an independent. Darryl Plecas was elected as a Liberal in 2013 and then left the party to sit as an independent.
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