Provinical crossroads. With talks of merger, partnership, a ‘deal’, and more being reported - one thing both the BC United and BC Conservative representatives say - this is not true.
“As far as we’re concerned, this is not a merger or partnership, it is the (United party) conceding,” says South Peace BC Conservative candidate Larry Neufeld to TWiDC Thursday, giving kudos to United leader Kevin Falcon for reading the provincial tea leaves and polls projecting United losses.
United leader Kevin Falcon and BC Conservative Party leader John Rustad confirmed the agreement, finalized late on August 27.
“I give him full credit for putting the province first instead of the party,” he added, noting he is the candidate for the BC Conservative party - South Peace. Jordan Kealy has expressed similar sentiments online in the North Peace in his race against BC United and incumbent MLA in the north, Dan Davies.
MLA Mike Bernier admitted the last 48 hours have been an unexpected roller coaster.
Bernier admitted the Conservatives and United party do “quite rightly” share an ‘anyone but the NDP’ strategy, but pundits note the United/Con agreement seems to have cut off all current BC United MLA’s - noses - despite Conservative candidate faces in the race.
“Combining forces and doing the right thing to defeat the NDP is our common goal - but the important thing was to do it in ridings where the NDP have legitimate and real candidates,” he said to TWiDC Thursday.
Bernier noted this is not the case in the Peace Region - noting NDP’s historic poor reception and ballot performance in past provincial elections.
Bernier said his campaign team is currently in re-load mode - with next steps being pondered over the Labour Day long weekend.
“This area knows it is the person, and not the party, who has been representing the South Peace,” he said, adding he didn’t expect to leave voters without an experienced option and representative, familiar with the South Peace and Victoria.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
It appears Bernier and other United MLAs find themselves waist deep in an election - but no longer candidates for a party in the race.
Pundits note United leader Kevin Falcon left his MLAs without a party to run under with this agreement - and liken it more to a lame duck rollover by Falcon, while dissolving of the BC United brand and party.
NDP officials noted online a South Peace candidate would soon be announced. The provincial election is October 19 of this year.
- Rob Brown
This Week in Dawson Creek
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