Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar is on his own as he steps away from the BC Conservative Party.

He issued a news release today, Aug. 14, announcing he will continue to represent the Kamloops riding in Victoria, but now as an independent.

It comes months after a failed bid to lead the party and amid an overhaul spearheaded by new leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay.

Milobar said he respects the results of the leadership vote and Findlay, who does not have a seat in the Legislature, has “earned the right” to shape the party.

“It has, however, become clear to me over the last few months that my values don’t align with this new direction,” he said in the news release.

During the leadership campaign, Findlay said Milobar would be in a “conflict of interest” with respect to First Nations issues should he lead the party.

Milobar suggested it was because his wife is Indigenous and he called it “completely wrong” and “quite remarkable.”

While that represented a personal criticism amid a leadership campaign, his announcement did not specify what about the party’s direction had him turn away from caucus.

He was first elected as an MLA in 2017 with the BC Liberals and crossed to the BC Conservatives during the 2024 election while his former party, under a new name, folded during the campaign.

He has remained in opposition positions for his entire tenure, serving in various official critic roles in that time.

“What matters most to me hasn’t changed — serving the people of Kamloops Centre,” his news release reads.

He’s the first MLA to leave the Conservatives since Findlay took over.