Kerry-Lynne Findlay has resigned as leader of the Conservative Party of B.C. following weeks of internal conflict and a wave of departures from the party’s caucus.

Findlay announced her resignation Sunday afternoon, less than four months after winning the party’s leadership race.

In a statement, Findlay said the decision was difficult, but she believed it was the right choice for the party and the province.

She acknowledged that too much of her brief tenure had been consumed by internal conflict and said she would not allow a continuing battle over her leadership to distract from the work of the Opposition.

Findlay also accepted responsibility for her role in the turmoil, saying there were decisions she would make differently with the benefit of hindsight.

Her resignation came hours after Surrey-Serpentine River MLA Linda Hepner left the Conservative caucus.

Hepner became the 13th MLA to leave voluntarily or be removed since Findlay became leader.

The upheaval has also affected Vancouver Island. Courtenay-Comox MLA Brennan Day resigned from the Conservative caucus in August, saying he had lost confidence in Findlay’s leadership.

Boundary-Similkameen MLA Donegal Wilson later left the caucus and joined CentreBC, the new party led by former Conservative MLA Peter Milobar.

The Conservative Party’s board has appointed Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson as interim leader.

Findlay does not currently hold a seat in the legislature.

She says she will remain the Conservative candidate in the Abbotsford-Mission byelection scheduled for September 26th.

The leadership change comes amid growing speculation that Premier David Eby could call an early provincial election, although no election has been announced.

B.C.’s next scheduled provincial election is in October 2028.