British Columbia Opposition Leader Kevin Falcon announced Wednesday that he is suspending BC United's election campaign and encouraging supporters to instead back the rival B.C. Conservative Party.
Kevin Falcon to suspend campaign, encourage BC United supporters to get behind John Rustad and the Conservative Party of BC. #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/sMTDOw1oGl
— Conservative Party of BC (@Conservative_BC) August 28, 2024
Falcon said in a statement that nominations of BC United candidates including current legislators would be withdrawn to allow the Conservatives to draw from them for its slate, less than two months before the provincial election on Oct. 19.
The statement issued by the Conservatives said that as part of the arrangement, the party had committed to review its candidates based on "an improved vetting process."
Thank you, @KevinFalcon, for doing the unselfish thing and making the hard call to suspend the BC United campaign. Free enterprise voters like me - who despair about the NDP being given free rein to further damage the economy, healthcare & public safety - are grateful. pic.twitter.com/dFxnOfsgjr
— Jordan Bateman (@jordanbateman) August 28, 2024
The seismic shift in B.C. politics comes amid the Conservatives' rise in popularity under Leader John Rustad that has seen the party far surpass BC United in recent polls, putting the future of the Opposition BC United as the right-of-centre flag-bearer in doubt.
"I got back into politics because I wanted to build a bright future for my two daughters and for the next generation of British Columbians," Falcon said in the statement.
"Today, I'm stepping back for the same reason. I know that the best thing for the future of our province is to defeat the NDP, but we cannot do that when the centre-right vote is split."
Rustad said he thanked Falcon for making the "hard but right decision".
"I've never doubted Kevin Falcon's commitment to our province, and today, I applaud his decision to put B.C. first, as he's done throughout his career," Rustad said in the statement.
Attempts by the parties since late last year to forge an alliance to defeat the governing New Democrats and Premier David Eby have previously failed.
Leadership is hard. Kevin Falcon is making an incredibly brave and difficult decision. He deserves credit and history will remember this contribution.
— Angelo Isidorou (@angeloisidorou) August 28, 2024
Onwards to defeating the radical BC NDP with the Conservative Party of BC and common sense change. #bcpoli
BC United had been hit by a series of defections from its caucus including Abbotsford South's Bruce Banman, Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson, Elenore Sturko in Surrey South and Richmond North Centre MLA Teresa Wat.
Falcon had booted Rustad from the then-BC Liberal caucus in 2022 over comments casting doubt on the role of carbon dioxide emissions in climate change.
The New Democrat Party caucus earlier issued a statement highlighting previous comments Falcon and other BC United members had made about Rustad and the Conservatives.
No matter what our opponents do, I'm focused on what matters to you—building more homes you can afford, lowering your costs, and strengthening your health care.
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) August 28, 2024
John Rustad is planning deep cuts that will cost you, just like he did before. That’s a risk we can’t afford. pic.twitter.com/ggngXCx4X4
The statement included Falcon saying previously: "Frankly, I don't think there's any scenario in which John Rustad would be remotely ready to step into the position of premier."
