LANGLEY (NEWS1130) – Today is decision day for the BC Conservatives and leader John Cummins.

The provincial Tories’ Annual General Meeting is being held in Langley, one day after losing a key member to the Liberals. A vote will be held on whether to keep Cummins or have a leadership race.

University of the Fraser Valley Political Scientist Hamish Telford says Cummins supporters have some compelling reasons to keep him around.

“The Conservatives, I think, will find it really difficult to fundraise right now with leadership question marks that are out there. If Mr. Cummins is ousted and there is a contest, I think a lot of financial backers would say the party’s just not ready,” he believes.

Telford also has some advice for the voting Conservatives.

“[I'd say] ‘Well look, he’s brought us this far, he deserves the chance to fight in an election.’ Plus, it would be political suicide to get rid of him and to have a leadership contest and review night and election before next spring.”

The meeting is already off to a rocky start, after long-time party stalwart John Martin jumped over to the BC Liberals yesterday.