“I never imagined things could go this wrong, this quickly.”

These are the words of Donegal Wilson, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen, in a Wednesday morning announcement that she has decided to leave the BC Conservative Party to serve as an Independent.

She is the eighth MLA to do so since the election of Kerry-Lynne Findlay as leader of the party on May 30.

And like the others, she cites Findlay’s leadership as the reason for leaving.

“When Ms. Findlay became Leader, I promised myself I would keep an open mind and give her three months to show us how she intended to lead,” Wilson wrote.

“Three months later, I have my answer.”

Wilson says experienced staff have been fired, with Findlay then making senior appointments “that raise serious questions about her judgment.”

“More than one of her senior appointees has been reported to have links to Alberta’s separatist movement,” she alleges in her announcement.

On Wednesday afternoon, a ninth MLA announced his departure from the BC Conservative caucus in the span of a month.

Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Scott McInnis announced he is departing the party, saying he no longer believes he can effectively serve his constituents under the current leadership.

“My goal has always been to serve the people of Columbia River-Revelstoke and help improve British Columbia. However, I no longer believe that goal can be attained under the current leadership,” McInnis said in a statement.

McInnis is the latest MLA to leave the caucus amid concerns about BC Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay. He previously served as the party’s shadow minister for Indigenous relations and was recently appointed to lead caucus policy development.

In his statement, McInnis said he has become increasingly concerned about the direction of the party since Findlay took over as leader.

“Since becoming Leader, decisions about staffing, senior appointments, caucus relations and the direction of the organization have caused me growing concern,” he said.

McInnis also pointed to what he described as the party’s “reported connections to Alberta separatism,” saying the issue is particularly contentious in his riding.

“Matters involving the RCMP have only added to those concerns,” he said. “At the same time, the party has increasingly become an exclusive private club more concerned with ideological bona fides than building the broad coalition required to serve British Columbians and form government.”

Despite leaving the caucus, McInnis said he remains committed to conservative principles.

“I remain a conservative. I will continue working toward a government grounded in free enterprise, responsible fiscal management and a positive vision for B.C., one capable of bringing people together rather than driving them apart,” he said.

Last week, Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman announced his departure from the party, saying he has heard from many constituents that they feel the party is unelectable with Findlay at the helm.

In addition to Banman and Warbus, the MLAs who have departed the BC Conservative Party since Findlay was elected leader are Teresa Wat (MLA for Richmond-Bridgeport), Brennan Day (Courtenay-Comox), Peter Milobar (Kamloops Central), Ian Paton (Delta South), and Rosalyn Bird (Prince George-Valemount).