Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad says he is still undecided whether he will take another shot at the party leadership.
He has until Feb. 15 to submit his leadership application, along with signatures from 250 party members.
“I have people around the province, many people from around the province, organizers from the province, that are pushing me hard to run, to go in and enter the race,” he said. “My wife is also pushing very hard for me to run and to enter the race.”
Rustad stepped down as leader in December after a tumultuous fall session in which the party board and caucus voted for his ouster. Under his leadership, five MLAs were either removed or quit the Conservative caucus.
A leadership race is now underway, with more than 10 candidates, from both outside the caucus and within.
His rationale for considering running is, he says, because of what he sees as an affordability crisis and the collapsing forestry industry. He contrasted this with the hot-button social issues that motivate some within the Conservative Party, such as gender identity education and narratives about residential schools.
“I’ve talked to many people, mill workers, former mill workers, that are looking at it and saying, I could give a rat’s backside about all those social issues,” he said. “What I care about is the fact that I’ve lost my job and I’m not gonna pay the mortgage.”
He says he has still not made up his mind because he is unsure if it is the right thing for the party going forward. When he stepped down in December, he said he was doing so to avoid a “civil war” within the party.
Rustad listed off current candidates, highlighting all their “skill sets” they bring to the race. He also refuted the notion that it matters if they are former B.C. Liberals or longtime Conservatives, what matters is “standing for what’s right and fighting for the average, everyday person’s province.”
“I couldn’t give a rat’s ass who is a Conservative,” he said.
If he does not run, Rustad said it is unlikely he will endorse a candidate. But he will support the new leader, even if that person wants him to “go golfing.”
“If I decide not to run, I will do anything I can to support this party and to support the new leader,” he said.
With the spring session looming and the leadership race taking place simultaneously with the work of the Conservative Caucus, others in party leadership positions have not endorsed any candidate, or say they will not.
This was the stance taken by Conservative House Leader Á’a:líya Warbus in remarks to reporters preceding Rustad’s.
“I think the most fair thing to do is let the dogs fight,” she said.