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BC election may create fractured opposition, says Simpson

With the NDP looking likely to win a majority government, one of the more interesting stories of the election will be what the party's opposition will look like, Cariboo North independent MLA and candidate Bob Simpson said during a mid-campaign interview.

"I do think there will be independents there; how many remains to be seen," Simpson said. "I think there will be Greens there; again, how many remains to be seen. (There's) the possibility of a Conservative seat or two, just depending on how the votes split, then whatever happens to that rump group of Liberals who are left behind and their leadership dynamic."

Depending who is left in the Liberals, their caucus could split apart, Simpson said. "I think that vacuum, that political vacuum, creates a very interesting environment post 2013," he said. "Where do the 50 per cent of British Columbians who traditionally vote more right-of-centre go? Where's their home in a fractured opposition?"

There's an opportunity to create a new kind of opposition that could demonstrate a different approach to politics, he said. "Can we coordinate our work? Could you have a collaborative or a coalition opposition to share the load of holding an NDP government to account?"

Simpson said he'd already been having conversations with some of the Green Party candidates, other independents and the legislature clerk's office about what's possible.

Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee's Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Find him on Twitter or reach him here.

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