VICTORIA - Twenty members of the British Columbia Conservative Party's caucus have expressed a lack of confidence in their leader, John Rustad, and are demanding his removal. However, Rustad has stated that he intends to remain in his position.

A letter from lawyer Bruce Hallsor to Aisha Estey, the president of the Conservative Party of B.C., indicates that the MLAs, who make up a majority of the 39-member caucus, are seeking Rustad's ouster and the appointment of an interim leader. The letter includes 20 statements from individual MLAs, all asserting their loss of confidence in Rustad's leadership. Estey confirmed the authenticity of the letter on Wednesday.

Hallsor, a King's counsel and managing partner at a Victoria law firm, noted that he has been asked to keep the identities of the 20 dissenting members confidential for the time being. Despite the calls for his resignation, Rustad has remained defiant, stating, "There's no way they can force me out," and emphasized that no number of MLAs could change his mind.

Rustad acknowledged the dissenting voices within the party but insisted that the focus should remain on the issues facing British Columbians. He remarked, "There's obviously some loud voices that have been part of that group, that have been for some time," adding that it would be the choice of the 20 MLAs if they decided to leave the party caucus.

The call for Rustad's removal follows previous demands from party board members and riding executives. In September, Estey and six other members of the party’s management committee urged Rustad to resign, citing turmoil under his leadership that has harmed the party's credibility. They stated in a letter that it was Rustad's duty to unify the party around a common vision.

The letter highlighted several issues, including declining poll numbers, membership, fundraising, and morale, as well as a lack of enthusiasm from the party's base. The Conservative Party has faced a series of defections since narrowly missing a majority in last year's provincial election, with some former members forming a new party and others sitting as Independents.

Rustad has consistently refused to step down, referencing a leadership review in September where he received 70.6 percent support from voting members. According to the party’s constitution, a leader can only be removed through resignation, death, incapacitation, or a leadership review. When asked about his statement regarding not stepping aside "at this point," Rustad quipped, "I'm not going to live forever."

The situation within the B.C. Conservative Party continues to evolve as internal conflicts challenge Rustad's leadership and the party's future.