UPDATE 1pm:  The leader of the BC Conservatives with a very ‘politically correct’ statement in response to Peter Milobar leaving her caucus to sit as an independent.

“I spoke with MLA Peter Milobar this [Friday] morning when he reached out to share his decision to sit as an Independent,” offered Kerry-Lynne Findlay in a short statement over the noon hour.  “I sincerely thank him for his many years of service to British Columbia and his excellent work as the Conservative Party of BC’s Shadow Minister for Finance.”

“Peter has been a valued member of our team and I wish him nothing but the best in his future advocacy,” added Findlay to close her statement.

The move by Milobar to leave the BC Conservatives being viewed in the opposite direction by the leader of Centre BC.

“I’m happy for Peter doing the right thing,” said Centre BC leader Mike Bernier when reached by Radio NL

to ask whether there have been any overtures toward trying to get Milobar onboard with his nascent Party’s movement.

“I guess we’ll see where this all plays out now,” said Bernier, who also included a not-so-subtle offer to Milobar.  “But would absolutely take him [into Centre BC caucus] in a heartbeat..” added Bernier.

Bernier, as well as Centre BC founder Karin Kirkpatrick, are former colleagues of Milobar under both the BC Liberal and BC United banners.

Original article:

In a move which many observers had anticipated was likely to become a reality, the senior MLA for Kamloops is going to be representing Kamloops Centre without party affiliation.

Peter Milobar announcing Friday morning that’s he’s going to sit as an Independent.

“Since 2017, I have been entrusted by the residents of Kamloops and the area to be their voice in Victoria,” opened Milobar in a statement.

“I completely respect the vote of the [BC Conservative] membership, and that Kerry-Lynne Findlay has earned the right as leader to shape the party as she sees fit,” continued Milobar.  “It has, however, become clear to me over the last few months that my values don’t align with this new direction.”

“With that in mind, effective immediately, I will be sitting as an Independent member of the B.C. Legislature,” added Milobar.

Milobar became one of the longest-tenured MLA’s in mostly rookie BC Conservative caucus when he agreed to run for the Party following the collapse of BC United before the last provincial election.

He would win the redrawn riding of Kamloops Centre and retain his critic’s role he held in the BC United caucus — Finance Critic.

Milobar would run for the leadership of the BC Conservative Party.

Despite being the only sitting MLA among the candidates who made it to the final voting stage, Milobar was the first candidate to be bounced from the preferential vote among a BC Conservative party rank-and-file which voted to shift further toward the right.

As part of the campaign, Milobar was the subject of a personal attack by Kerry-Lynne Findlay who questioned his sincerity in supporting BC Conservative calls to repeal the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People’s Act, or DRIPA, given that his wife and family are Indigenous.

Radio NL has reached out to Milobar for further comment, thought his statement does say he will “have more to say about the road ahead in the days to come.”