MLA Teresa Wat to join other Conservative defectors in new party

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsLocal NewsPolitics MLA Teresa Wat to join other Conservative defectors in new party Teresa Wat, MLA for Richmond-Bridgeport, announced Friday she has joined a new party, currently led by interim Leader Peter Milobar. Author of the article: By Stephanie Ip Published Sep 11, 2026 Last updated 9 minutes ago 2 minute read Join the conversation A new centre-right political party formed by MLAs Peter Milobar, left, and Ian Paton has nabbed another high-profile name: MLA Teresa Wat, centre. Article content A new centre-right political party formed by B.C. Conservative defectors has nabbed another high-profile name. Article content Teresa Wat, MLA for Richmond-Bridgeport, announced Friday she has joined the new party, currently led by interim Leader Peter Milobar. Article content Article content “British Columbians want a strong, credible alternative to the NDP that is focused on affordability, and competent government,” said Wat. “After careful consideration, I have decided to join Peter and the growing team of sitting MLAs to help build this new party. I believe that this party can bring people together from across our province and replace the NDP as British Columbia’s government.” Article content Article content Wat left the B.C. Conservatives in August after private texts between Tory Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay and her team surfaced, messages in which Findlay insinuated that Wat was associated with the Chinese Communist Party and that “the Chinese community that supports us knows this.” Article content Richmond-Bridgeport MLA Teresa Wat speaks at a Keep Richmond Safe rally in Richmond on Feb. 17. PHOTO BY NICK PROCAYLO /10107214A Article content Sunrise Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content The texts had been leaked and posted online in July by an anonymous social media post called the FindlayFiles. Article content “These remarks were distasteful, hurtful and made me question my place in the B.C. Conservatives under her leadership,” Wat said at the time. Article content Wat was one of seven MLAs who departed Findlay’s party in August, as controversy dogged the Tories and Findlay’s leadership was questioned. Those MLAs include Courtenay-Comox…