B.C. Conservative factions square off today over leadership of John Cummins

VANCOUVER – Rival factions within the B.C. Conservative party are expected to battle over the political future of leader John Cummins during the party’s convention today.

The question of leadership comes up one day after former Conservative byelection candidate John Martin defected to the B.C. Liberals.

A group calling itself Friends of the B.C. Conservative Party, led by current party vice-president Ben Besler, is wants members to vote for a leadership review.

Besler has been raising concerns through emails about Cummins’ leadership style, his relationship with the only Conservative MLA John van Dongen and his monthly stipend.

Backing Cummins, is supporter Al Siebring of Vancouver Island who leads a group called the A-Team and has raised a slate of candidates for the party executive.

If the anti-Cummins faction is successful, the veteran politician will have to step down immediately while a party leader is chosen.