B.C. NDP caucus meets to discuss potential early election after Findlay resignation

Then-B.C. Conservative leadership candidate Kerry-Lynne Findlay looks on during a debate at the Canada Strong and Free Network conference in Vancouver on April 24. CHAD HIPOLITO/The Canadian Press

The caucus of British Columbia’s governing NDP has met to discuss a potential early election after the resignation of Opposition B.C. Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay.

Findlay quit Sunday, saying it was the right move for the party and province, and the Conservative board of directors appointed MLA Lorne Doerkson as interim leader hours later.

But the Conservative constitution prohibits an interim head from seeking the party’s leadership in a subsequent ballot, so if an election is called soon, the official Opposition candidate for premier would not immediately be clear.

Findlay’s resignation follows weeks of upheaval in the Conservative caucus, with 13 defections or expulsions, including former leader John Rustad, who was ejected with two others on Friday.