As British Columbians live in political uncertainty Choice is possible at any timeSome frustrated politicians and disgruntled party members are discussing the possibility of a fourth political party.

After BC United leader Kevin Falcon’s statement in August will not nominate candidates in this month’s electionsCentrist voters identified feeling politically homeless, with the right-wing BC Conservatives and centre-left NDP as dominant choices.

“There are people all over British Columbia trying to start parties in their basements, and we communicate a lot via WhatsApp and other ways to just say, ‘let’s step back, let’s see what happens in the elections and let’s try to build something,’” he said in West Vancouver. -Karin Kirkpatrick, who holds the BC United seat of Capilano.

She was elected as a BC Liberal in 2020 and still believes the name and brand are at the forefront, which is why she and others are considering reviving it as a centrist option — but she knows it I can’t mess around with a shaky minority government All but certain.

“There have been conversations about this and now it’s time to move forward and make this clear,” he said.

HOW POSSIBLE IS A FOURTH PARTY?

One of B.C.’s top pollsters and political analysts believes it’s possible for a fourth party to make headway.

“If you do it the right way, if you have a popular enough leader, if you have candidates who are seen as trustworthy by residents, then you can make this happen,” said Mario Canseco, president of Research Co. “To have an inconclusive result at this stage certainly shows that there are people who have voted BC Liberal in the past and don’t know where they’re going.”

Former BC Liberal strategist-turned-NDP supporter Kareem Allam praised Kirkpatrick’s campaign and integrity, but said he sees a party plagued by lawsuits, unpaid bills, and other complications.

“I think there’s a lot of desire in the province for an alternative to the Conservative Party that deals with the economy, jobs and wealth creation, and a lot of people are naturally trying to revitalize the BC Liberal party,” he said. . “It won’t be that easy. Many Liberal members, many of the major donors, joined the Conservative Party.

BIGGER GAME IMPACT

There are two major factors influencing politics at all levels in Canada and the Western world: the desire to change the status quo and the rise of right-wing populism, which supports many conservative parties.

Allam believes that any party with progressive values ​​would likely split the vote on the left, resulting in decreased support for the NDP over the BC Conservatives, and Kirkpatrick said Popularity of Pierre Poilievre’s federal Conservative party Even though the two parties were separate, Rustad’s support increased.

“People were voting in a different election than they thought they would because it actually concerned everyone except the NDP, but it also concerned Trudeau,” he said. “There was some brand confusion.

The final vote count is expected to be held on Monday, with two votes to be held for the recount as the leading candidates are determined. separated by only dozens of votes.