Kevin Falcon announces BC United Candidates in Kamloops, October 2023 (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

BC ELECTION 2024

‘It does risk four more years of David Eby’; Potential vote split remains after failed BC United-BC Conservative deal

May 24, 2024 | 6:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — Merger talks between the two so-called ‘free enterprise’ parties is officially over, with BC United Leader Kevin Falcon announcing on Friday (May 24) morning that a non-compete agreement will not become a reality.

“We came forward with a framework agreement that could potentially layout how we might work together without competing against each other, focusing on the bigger picture and the public interest of ensuring that we get rid of the NDP government,” said Falcon.

While not a full merger, the agreement, which was rejected by the BC Conservatives, would have seen United and Conservative candidates not run against each other in the province’s 93 ridings. The idea of the proposal was to remove the possibility of a vote split on the right side of the political spectrum.

Included in the work to find common ground between the parties was Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone, who serves as BC United’s house leader.

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“Frankly, those representatives from both parties were making progress. They had some very productive discussion and there was a lot of good will be expended on both sides, I can say that 100 per cent. Unfortunately, late last night John Rustad decided to kibosh any further discussions. He just flat out said, ‘No, we are not doing anything,'” said Stone.

“John Rustad decided to look out for own egos, within himself and others surrounding him, versus doing what’s right for the voters of British Columbia — making sure we elect a centre-right government and then figure out how that coalition would function moving forward,” added Milobar.

That means incumbents Stone and Milobar will be contesting Conservatives Ward Stamer and Dennis Giesbrecht in the two Kamloops ridings.

“It does risk four more years of David Eby and the NDP and it basically means the BC Conservatives will be out there expending time, energy and presumably money that they raise from donors on attacking the other free enterprise party,” stated Stone.

Despite trailing in the polls to both the BC Conservatives and the governing New Democrats, BC United feels confident in the party’s chances this fall, placing their trust in the people of British Columbia.

“What, for you as a voter, is important to you in terms of casting your ballot? Is it more the social conservative side or the more fiscally conservative side with a little bit more of a heart into those things in terms of the social programs that we have come to expect and rely on? What are your thoughts on health care and what party has a plan around health care that you actually believe can be accomplished?” questioned Milobar.

Rustad released a statement on Friday saying he doesn’t trust Kevin Falcon and believes the election is a two-horse race between the his party and the NDP.

“I can say with certainty that the Conservative Party of BC and the BC United Party will not be merging before the upcoming provincial election this fall,” reads the news release. “Kevin Falcon also stated he didn’t want to make these talks public, yet here we are. Falcon is clearly irrational and unreasonable and prepared to lie. This makes it impossible to trust anything he says.”

British Columbians are scheduled to head to the polls on October 19.

CFJC News will be sitting down with BC Conservative Leader John Rustad on Monday, May 27.