File photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

TWO & OUT

PETERS: With Conservatives’ constant infighting, Eby may as well have super-majority

Dec 11, 2025 | 9:57 AM

(Ed. note: This editorial aired on CFJC Today on Friday, December 5.)

WATCHING JOHN RUSTAD’S RESIGNATION announcement this week was like watching a flash flood erode a riverbank beneath a rickety old house — you know the house is going to collapse and get washed away, you just don’t know when.

On Wednesday, Rustad played the part of defiance, claiming to still be the leader of the BC Conservatives even as the walls were collapsing around him.

Thursday, he finally acknowledged the inevitable.

Trevor Halford will now head up the party while it looks for a new permanent leader.

TWO & OUT

PETERS: With Conservatives' constant infighting, Eby may as well have super-majority

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Even using the word ‘permanent’, though, is laughable. Something similar will happen to the next leader, too. And it won’t be long.

The composition of the BC Conservative Party is simply incongruent with internal stability.

It is a house divided between former BC United-BC Liberals left without a home when Kevin Falcon sold the farm, true blue right-wingers for whom the BC Liberals were always too far left, and culture warriors who want a closer shot at power than Dallas Brodie offers.

The latter two camps will always be suspicious of those in the former, like Rustad and Halford.

It really is a shame for BC the Conservatives are so focused internally on their own battles right now, because this province could use a strong opposition to hold the NDP government to account.

Not only are we waiting for David Eby’s government to deliver better results on affordability, health care, environmental progress and a whole host of other priorities, the government is also making huge decisions on major projects for B.C. — projects that, if they are approved or turned down, will have long-lingering effects for B.C. residents.

Even though he is barely clinging to a majority, Eby knows the last thing the Conservatives want right now is an election, what with no leader and flagging fundraising totals.

Eby can act like he has a comfortable majority, with few checks and balances.

If Halford can stabilize the Conservative caucus or if the party can unite behind a new leader after a quick and clean leadership race, there is a chance Eby’s NDP might be held to greater account.

If the infighting and back-stabbing continues, Eby has nothing to worry about.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.