Richmond-Bridgeport MLA Teresa Wat has left the British Columbia Conservative caucus and will sit as an Independent, she announced in a statement posted to social media Wednesday.
Departure follows a week of defections
Wat becomes the third MLA in three days to leave the B.C. Conservatives and the fourth in two weeks, underscoring a period of instability for the party less than three years after the 2024 provincial election.
In her statement, Wat said she could no longer serve under party leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay and that she had reached the decision with a “heavy heart.” She said she remained proud of what she had helped accomplish since joining the B.C. Conservatives.
“I firmly believe we need an alternative to the NDP that is trying to grow and not one trying to divide. That is not the direction of the BC Conservatives under Kerry-Lynne Findlay.”
Wat was among the early group of MLAs who left B.C. United to join the B.C. Conservatives ahead of the 2024 election, a move intended to reshape the province’s centre-right political landscape.
Allegations in leaked messages flagged as cause
Her announcement appears to stem from allegations published in media reports at the end of July, which cited leaked WhatsApp messages allegedly sent by Findlay. Those reports said the messages linked Wat to the “CCP,” an abbreviation for the Chinese Communist Party.
Wat told supporters and followers she found the alleged comments “distasteful” and “hurtful,” and that they called her allegiance to Canada into question. She said the remarks made her question her place within the party.
According to Wat’s account, she and Findlay had a brief conversation after the reports surfaced while she was travelling with family. Wat said Findlay did not apologize and sought to focus on moving forward, which contributed to Wat’s decision to leave the caucus.
“I especially value her contributions, experience, and the important role she plays in bringing our team together,” Findlay posted that same evening on social media, describing a subsequent conversation as a “wonderful discussion.”
The contrasting public messages and the leaked chat reports have deepened an already fraught situation for the party, prompting questions about leadership and cohesion as it seeks to present itself as an alternative to the governing NDP.
What this means for Richmond and the party
By choosing to sit as an Independent, Wat retains her seat and the ability to represent constituents in Richmond-Bridgeport but will no longer be bound by the B.C. Conservative caucus position on votes or policy. Her departure reduces the party’s caucus numbers and raises the prospect of further fragmentation unless leadership and membership disputes are addressed.
Wat did not outline a long-term plan in her statement beyond the decision to leave the party. She said she was proud of her past accomplishments with the B.C. Conservatives but was unwilling to stay where she felt divisive conduct was tolerated.
- Key figures: third MLA to leave in three days; fourth in two weeks.
- Trigger: media reports of leaked WhatsApp messages allegedly from leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay.
- Immediate effect: Wat to sit as an Independent, reducing B.C. Conservatives’ caucus strength.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| MLA | Teresa Wat (Richmond-Bridgeport) |
| New status | Independent |
| Party impact | Third defection in 3 days; fourth in 2 weeks |
The ripples from these departures are likely to reverberate in the short term as the party and its leader confront criticism and try to stabilise their ranks. For constituents in Richmond-Bridgeport, the immediate change is in how their MLA will operate in the legislature and whether she will align with other parties on legislative priorities.
As the situation develops, party officials, other caucus members and the Legislature will be watched closely for signs of reconciliation, further exits or a formal response from the B.C. Conservative leadership team.
Further details and any response from Wat’s former caucus were not included in her social media statement but are expected to be the focus of political coverage in the coming days.
