Five MLAs stood behind the Kamloops Centre MLA on Tuesday, with more endorsements on the way as candidates wait for acceptance by the party

As the B.C. Conservative party continues vetting 11 unofficial candidates vying to be the next leader of the official Opposition — and, potentially, the next premier — at least one member has lined up colleagues to endorse him.

Peter Milobar, the MLA for Kamloops Centre, stood on the front steps of the legislature on Wednesday flanked by caucus colleagues Brennan Day (Courtenay-Comox), Gavin Dew (Kelowna-Mission), Kiel Giddens (Prince George-Mackenzie), Scott McInnis (Columbia River-Revelstoke) and Ward Stamer (Kamloops-North Thompson).

The endorsements are the first indication of where the loyalties of certain MLAs lie, an important element in determining whether any one candidate can unite the Conservatives. The party has faced fractures over the past year, including the resignation or ejection of five MLAs from caucus and the resignation of previous leader John Rustad.

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