Lorne Doerkson takes the reins of B.C. Conservatives, with a party to rebuild and election ahead
Lorne Doerkson has been appointed as the interim leader of the B.C. Conservative Party following a period of internal turmoil and resignations. He faces the immediate challenge of stabilizing the party and preparing for a potential snap election.
Why it matters
The leadership transition is pivotal for the B.C. Conservatives as they attempt to present a viable alternative to the incumbent NDP government.
Interim leader of the B.C. Conservative Party Lorne Doerkson. Jimmy Jeong/The Globe and Mail
Lorne Doerkson spent his birthday on Thursday doing media interviews as the new leader of the Conservative Party of B.C., a role he did not seek out but was suddenly appointed to last week, and that could see him elected premier by Halloween.
The two-term Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA was named interim leader of the beleaguered party last Sunday, after the sudden resignation of Kerry-Lynne Findlay amid a caucus revolt. Conservative MLAs selected Mr. Doerkson to replace her and the party’s board approved.
Mr. Doerkson, however, was in South Africa for a conference last weekend and learned of the developments during a layover in Amsterdam as he was travelling home.
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