Fledgling political party reports spike in membership following B.C. Conservative leadership vote

One of B.C.’s newest political parties believes it has a chance at official status in the legislature following Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s victory in the B.C. Conservative. leadership race.

CentreBC, founded last year by former BC United MLA Karin Kirkpatrick, reported an increase in membership following Saturday’s vote, with some moderate conservatives looking for an alternative.

“There have been a lot of people that have said to me, ‘Well, we really like what you’re doing, but we want to wait and see if the B.C. Conservatives can pull it more to the centre,’” Kirkpatrick told CTV News.

“Because that didn’t happen, there are a number of people who say, ‘Well, we have nowhere else to go.’”

CentreBC would need two MLAs to gain official party status in the legislature.

Kirkpatrick said conversations were underway as some elected representatives assess their political futures.

“There are MLAs right now who are talking to the riding association, who are talking to their constituents and members, to get a taste for what would that look like,” she said.

University of the Fraser Valley political scientist Hamish Telford said the B.C. Conservatives remain a coalition of different ideological groups, some of which he predicts will not unite under Findlay.

“There’s at least three, if not four, versions or iterations of conservatism under this umbrella. And I don’t think that they all fit, ultimately. Some, I think, will leave and not support the party,” he said.

Findlay said she thinks the party will come together under her leadership and believes she can deliver the hope and opportunity British Columbians want.

“My vision is a broad vision of prosperity, unleashing our natural resources, getting our resources to market,” she told CTV News.

Meanwhile, BC United, formerly known as the BC Liberals, plans to meet soon to discuss its next steps following the leadership vote.

“We’re hoping the new leader will bring opposing views together,” said party president Ben Stewart.