PETERS: Rise of B.C. Conservatives leaves Falcon’s B.C. United caught in the middle

Kevin Falcon’s B.C. United party is down to 19 per cent, with the Green Party maintaining its familiar 10 per cent support level.

Clearly, this is great news for the NDP.

If the centre-right votes are split more evenly between two parties, especially in suburban swing ridings like those in Surrey, Richmond and Abbotsford, the NDP can cruise to another majority win in next year’s general election.

The similar scenario played out in the 2021 federal election with the People’s Party of Canada.

The People’s Party couldn’t win any ridings, but it siphoned off so many votes from the Conservatives that it prevented the Tories from gaining the traction needed to take down the Trudeau Liberals.

In the provincial case, the B.C. Conservatives may do even better and garner enough support to win some ridings.

The party itself has clearly staked out its territory in the imaginary culture war.

The increasing number of voters who cling to social positions ranging from bizarre to hateful will appreciate having a voting option that entertains those positions.

Rustad as a leader will be a drag on the brand. He’s about as dynamic and inspiring as dry toast.

But the effect will be the same as on the federal side. David Eby will solidify what is becoming an NDP dynasty.

B.C. United, then, becomes not the government nor the upstart, but the party caught in the middle.

As the socially moderate, fiscally conservative option, Falcon offers neither the generous government spending of the NDP nor the uses-of-the-word-woke-per-minute rate of the B.C. Conservatives.

These days, it’s either one or the other.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.

by James Peters

PETERS: Rise of B.C. Conservatives leaves Falcon’s B.C. United caught in the middle

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