Update: 2:00 pm:
The BC Conservative Party has confirmed that BC United leader Kevin Falcon is “suspending his party’s campaign” and is endorsing the Conservatives.
All BC United nominations will be withdrawn and the BC Conservatives say they will be able to recruit “from BC United’s pool of incredible incumbent MLAs and candidates.”
The Conservatives have also “committed to review candidates based on an improved vetting process.”
“I got back into politics because I wanted to build a bright future for my two daughters and for the next generation of British Columbians,” said Kevin Falcon, in a joint statement from both parties. “Today, I’m stepping back for the same reason. I know that the best thing for the future of our province is to defeat the NDP, but we cannot do that when the centre-right vote is split.”
“I’ve known Kevin Falcon for 20 years, and while we haven’t always seen eye to eye, we both know there is too much at stake to let past disagreements get in the way of defeating David Eby and the radical NDP,” said John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of BC. “I’ve never doubted Kevin Falcon’s commitment to our province, and today, I applaud his decision to put B.C. first, as he’s done throughout his career.”
“For the better part of two decades, Kevin Falcon has worked tirelessly to make our province a better place,” Rustad continued. “I encourage all Conservative MLAs, candidates and supporters to join me in sincerely thanking Kevin Falcon for doing the right thing, for his exemplary public service and for making the hard but right decision today.”
The Conservatives will still be holding a provincial news conference at 2:40 this afternoon.
Kevin Falcon to suspend campaign, encourage BC United supporters to get behind John Rustad and the Conservative Party of BC. #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/sMTDOw1oGl
— Conservative Party of BC (@Conservative_BC) August 28, 2024
Original Story: 1:15 pm:
The BC Conservative party has announced they will be making a “major statement related to the upcoming general election campaign” at 2:40 this afternoon (Wednesday).
This comes as several media outlets have reported the BC United Party is folding and will not run any candidates in the upcoming provincial election.
They suggest some BC United Candidates may join the conservative party.
NEW – Deal has been reached for BC United to suspend provincial election campaign and some of its candidates will run for B.C. Conservatives. Kevin Falcon will not be running in the election. The list is still being worked on for others running for Conservatives. #bcpoli
— Richard Zussman (@richardzussman) August 28, 2024
NEW – Some @voteBCUnited caucus members – the ones unlikely to be able to transfer to the @Conservative_BC – are holding an emergency meeting to try to stop the collapse of the party, and remove @KevinFalcon
— Rob Shaw (@RobShaw_BC) August 28, 2024
BC United has not made any statements on these claims, and has not yet responded to any of Vista Radio’s requests for comment.
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