MLA Elenore Sturko’s Surprise Defection to BC Conservatives Upends Political Landscape

Surprising many, Surrey South MLA Elenore Sturko made a sudden move by leaving the BC United Party and joining the Conservatives Party of BC, according to sources in Vancouver. This decision follows recent defections from BC United, including Lorne Doerkson and Brandon Fonseca.

Reacting to Sturko’s departure, Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford expressed disappointment but not surprise. Halford emphasized the importance of loyalty in politics and stated his commitment to the BC United Party despite Sturko’s decision.

Meanwhile, BC United Leader Kevin Falcon felt a personal sense of betrayal by Sturko’s move, as he had supported her candidacy in the 2022 byelection in Surrey South. The defection of Sturko, a vocal defender of LGBTQ2+ rights, to the Conservatives Party marked a significant blow to the BC United Party.

Political science professor Stewart Prest commented on the trend of BC United MLAs defecting, suggesting a potential decline for the party. He described Sturko’s move as a significant coup for the Conservatives Party, elevating their visibility and positioning them as a prominent anti-NDP force.

In response to the LGBTQ2+ community’s concerns, Sturko defended her decision, stating her commitment to represent diverse views within the party. She highlighted her focus on critical issues such as healthcare, education, and housing, emphasizing the need for collaboration with the Conservatives Party.

Sturko’s defection also involved a strategic shift in her electoral plans, moving from Surrey South to Surrey-Cloverdale and then Langley-Willowbrook under the Conservatives’ banner. This move, according to political analysts such as Shinder Purewal, reflects a calculated strategy to maximize her electoral prospects in the upcoming provincial election.