A Big Player

The BC Conservatives are shaping up to be a big player in the next provincial election. In fact, that might be quite an understatement; they could easily shape the form of the government after spending the last 24 years without a single MLA.

In 2009, the party received 2% of the vote with 24 candidates. While the leader, Wilf Hanni resigned shortly after this in June 2009, the party has continued to gain support. In 2010, the average amount of support was at 8%. They also hope to set up registered constituency associations in all electoral districts by the end of 2011, a tough goal, but an important step if it hopes to become a major player in BC politics.

Complete with a new executive, strategy groups, and advisory committees including former Socred Premier Rita Johnston and former MP Randy White, it is gaining support among voters dissatisfied with the Liberals and scared of the NDP. In essence, 2013 could very well be 1991 all over again - the governing right-wing party being replaced by another opposition party to face an NDP government.

Should the Conservatives be capable of running more candidates in 2013 than they did in 2009 (they probably will), they hold a very good chance of taking a substantial amount of support, somewhere along the lines of 10%, they will be vote-splitting with the Liberals. This will give us a much better chance of forming the government. An opposition in this case would be comprised of a few independents, Liberals and Conservatives, excellent.

The face of the right-wing may change in British Columbia, but from day one the left-wing has always been there, always pushing for a better BC, and that isn't about to change any time soon.