By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG
In an upset just six weeks before the provincial election, B.C. United Leader Kevin Falcon has announced that the party is suspending its campaign. The move is meant to consolidate the centre-right vote under the B.C. Conservative campaign and present a united front against the B.C. NDP, according to a press release announcing the decision.
Falcon held a press conference about the suspension with B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad earlier this afternoon. Neither Falcon nor Rustad could confirm which former B.C. United candidates will continue their election campaigns under the Conservative party.
“Our intention is to field the best candidates we can,” Rustad said in response to questions about whether the Conservative party would adopt former United candidates following the suspension. “We’re gonna be going through a process between the two parties to make decisions as to who would be best.”
Falcon said he could not provide a timeline on when candidates will be chosen, but both parties will work together to determine who is the strongest candidate for each district.
The B.C. United party is not necessarily going to dissolve permanently. In response to a question on whether this is the end of the B.C. United Party, Falcon said, “Yes for now, certainly for this election, but I cannot predict what the future board may want to do.”
Falcon said he will work with the United party’s board of directors and staff to use remaining campaign funds to pay vendors and staff, but could not provide further details on how leftover campaign funds will be used.
The Goat reached out to Shirley Bond, incumbent B.C. United candidate for Prince George-Valemount, but did not receive an immediate response.
