Leader of Team Rustad Emphasizes Strength in Diversity After Winning BC Conservative AGM

“Team Rustad” emerged victorious at the B.C. Conservatives’ inaugural general meeting following their significant impact on the province’s political landscape in the previous year’s election, where they became the official Opposition.

The event on Saturday took place amidst internal strife within the party, which Leader John Rustad portrayed as a positive attribute rather than a weakness in his address to approximately 800 delegates.

Rustad emphasized the importance of freedom of speech within democracy, stating, “I have our MLAs being able to stand up and speak, you know, even if it may be something that I disagree with.”

He went on to explain that differences within the party should be seen as a strength rather than a weakness, emphasizing the need for varying perspectives.

Rustad solidified his leadership by promoting a group of candidates for executive roles under the banner of “Team Rustad,” all of whom emerged victorious.

One of the successful candidates was party president Aisha Estey, who overcame challenges from four competitors, including a group of candidates who were unsuccessful in the past provincial election.

Rustad’s selected candidates also secured positions as vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and all five director-at-large roles.

Rustad explained to delegates that the party’s allowance of free votes in the legislature reflects his dedication to democracy.

The meeting room was packed with some delegates having to stand at the back, illustrating the party’s growth from just 800 members two years ago when Rustad joined the Conservatives.

In addition to supporting Rustad’s executive team, members also voted in favor of amending the party’s constitution.

Rustad emphasized the party’s grassroots nature and the importance of ensuring that the constitution reflects active engagement from all levels of the party.

The revised constitution included changes that aim to provide more stability to the party leadership by reducing mandatory reviews. Under the new rules, leadership reviews will only occur after each provincial election, as opposed to every two years as before.

Rustad is set to undergo his first leadership review in the upcoming fall.