Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman. (Image Credit: Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman.)

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Provincial politics

Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman exits B.C. Conservative Party

Aug 27, 2026 | 3:53 PM

ABBOTSFORD – Abbotsford South MLA has become the latest B.C. Conservative Party member to exit the caucus.

In a statement Thursday afternoon (Aug. 27), Banman said his decision to leave the party and sit as an independent MLA came after numerous conversations with his constituents.

He is now the sixth Conservative Party MLA to exit the party in 10 days, following the lead of other MLAs like Brennan Day, Ian Paton, and Rosalyn Bird.

“When John Rustad and I started this movement in 2023, we did so on the premise of fiscal responsibility and bringing common sense back to BC politics,” said Banman. “I am so proud that we came so close to forming government in the 2024 provincial election. Since the Conservative Party of BC leadership race ended this June, I, like many, had high hopes about the next chapter for our party. However, after numerous conversations with many of my constituents, it has become clear under the new leadership and direction of the Conservative Party of BC, an NDP win is becoming increasingly likely. For the sake of the future of this province we must defeat this NDP government.”

Banman said in the months following the leadership race that saw Kerry-Lynne Findlay win, the momentum needed to defeat the current NDP government has dwindled, not gotten stronger.

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“Sadly, since the leadership race concluded, I am hearing from constituents and seeing with my own eyes the political tent needed to defeat the NDP getting smaller, not larger,” Banman said. “The goal in politics is to make the tent bigger. To listen to the majority. It’s not about left or right. It’s about doing what’s right. Now more than ever, we need to do right by the people of this province and listen to them. I’m hearing from British Columbians that their major concerns are affordability, how to keep a roof over their heads, find a doctor, and ensure that they and their family are safe in their community. To many, since the NDP formed government the province has become unrecognizable, unfordable, many confide they have lost hope, and have left for a life elsewhere or are making exit plans.”

Banman says a different group of people, not the current B.C. Conservatives, will need to step up in order to change government.

“People of all walks of life tell me we need a group to pull together, defeat this NDP government, open up our vast resources again and bring prosperity back to the province they and I so deeply love,” Banman said. “Person after person has informed me they have decided that our new leader is unelectable. So, with a heavy heart I am announcing today I am joining an ever increasing number of MLAs to sit as an Independent MLA in the BC Legislature. I would encourage my fellow MLAs regardless of political affiliation to join me.”

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman exits B.C. Conservative Party

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