The defection of two Alberta MLAs to the upstart Wildrose Alliance Party has reignited interest in the B.C. Conservative Party, according to its president.
"The Wildrose Alliance recent success in Alberta indicates that the electorate is desirous of a truly conservative party, one that is accountable and trustworthy," BC Conservative president Wayne McGrath told The Tyee.
"The policies of our two parties are quite similar, and appear to be what disgruntled voters are searching for," he added.
McGrath said that there has been "unprecedented interest" in B.C.'s far-right party since last summer, when the governing BC Liberals released post-election budget numbers along with plans to introduce a Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).
A November 2009 poll conducted for the Canadian Restaurant and Food Services Association (which is fighting the HST) showed the BC Conservative party at 14 per cent support, behind the BC New Democratic Party at 25 per cent and the governing BC Liberals at 22 per cent.
"British Columbians are telling us that they now recognize that, unless there is a credible third Party, the NDP will most certainly form the next government," McGrath said.
McGrath does not expect BC Liberals to defect in the near future, however.
"Many Liberal MLAs are undoubtedly very uncomfortable with the Leadership (or lack thereof) in their party," he daid. "However, we do not expect any to declare support for the BC Conservative Party until we have elected a credible leader, probably in early 2011, and we have at least one sitting MLA, probably as a result of a by-election."
The B.C. Conservative Party ran 24 candidates in the May 2009 provincial election, but took about 2.1 per cent of the popular vote and did not elect an MLA.
Likewise in the March 2008 provincial election in Alberta, the Wildrose Alliance received 6.77 per cent of the popular vote without electing a member.
Monte Paulsen reports for The Tyee.
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DPL
2 years ago
Go for it. Gordo needs to
Go for it. Gordo needs to feel a lot of pressure and if some comes from the right wing all the better. Seems the ones who shifted in Alberta found the Conservatives to be too soft.
Frank
2 years ago
Excellent!
I support more electoral choices and I think this is great that Wilf, realisticman and Luke will have a party more attuned to their views to vote for.
Now if we only had a left-wing party.
Gary
2 years ago
Gordo is already running scared
He's handing out little tidbits (money magically found) to those MLA's ridings that are in serious trouble with the recall over the HST.
But I'm sure the people see now him for what he is.
Luke
2 years ago
BC Zalmoids...
The BC Conservatives are run by Zalmoids and crackpots.
That didn't stop NDP voters from switching to the BC Conservatives in 2009. In fact, in the few seats where the BC Conservatives ran in 2009 they split the opposition vote.
One simple example is the riding of Kootenay East:
2005 election result:
Lib: 48.01%
NDP: 43.72%
Green: 8.27%
2009 election result:
Lib: 51.18% (+3.17%)
NDP: 35.51% (-8.21%)
Con: 9.98% (+9.98%)
Green: 3.33% (-4.94%)
The Cons picked up most of their support from the NDP, while some of the Green vote went Liberal.
Looks like NDP voters also like the BC Conservatives. The more candidates that they run in 2013, the merrier esp. with Captain Carole at the NDP helm. :D
Frank, now fess up, were you one of those 2009 vote switchers in Kootenay East? ;)
Luke
2 years ago
Come to think of it...
With Captain Carole at the NDP's helm, the BC Conservatives are definitely poised for substantial growth in 2013:
Wilfride Laurier
2 years ago
Good Points
I would also support more credible political alternatives. My first choice would be a Vision BC party. Gregor Robertson has shown himself to be an able mayor, who is not afraid to take on challenges. I admire that. His recent performance regarding property taxes in Vancouver showed he is not in the hip pocket of Cupe 15. Very admirable. That is how election are won, leadership, rather than pandering.
As for the BC Conservatives, they are nothing but a bunch of crack pots. They certainly did not take any votes away from the Libeals last election.
Frank
2 years ago
Luke aka Perseous aka Brad
Your stats don't take into account the number of voters that sat the election out and therefore don't say what you think they say.
The Campbell Liberals have far more to fear from the Conservatives than the NDP because most of their supporters already vote Conservative federally as any quick look at Wikipedia or any polling site will tell you.
And I'm shocked you'd call the Cons names since you agree with them.
Frank
2 years ago
Wilf aka WorkingMan
Not only did the Liberals lose votes to the people you call "crack pots" in the last election, they also saw huge numbers of their previous voters not show up. Which might have been caused by the Conservatives putting up a candidate in only a minority of ridings and not being credible generally.
Two things that won't remain in Campbell's favour in 2013.
But by all means call those on the Right "crack pots", that'll be sure to win you more votes.
Luke
2 years ago
Frank the Bradmeister...
Here's one of your favourite crackpots who has just announced that he's running for the leadership of the BC Conservative Party:
http://www.robbinssceresearch.com/polls/poll_664.html
Just another wannabe stand-up comedian tryin' to get a gig at Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club. He also stylizes himself as the "Original Rogue".
It doesn't get better than that! :D
Looks like Carole may still need to watch her back though. ;)
Frank
2 years ago
Perseous
Are you seriously telling me you wouldn't vote for the Conservatives? Why not?
Realisticman votes for them federally and you guys agree on everything.