By Adam Berls

bc politics

‘An earthquake’: Two BC United MLAs defect to BC Conservatives

Jun 3, 2024 | 3:51 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — There have been seismic shifts in B.C. politics over the last few days, with two BC United MLA’s crossing the floor to the BC Conservatives.

First, it was Lorne Doerkson, MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin on Friday, and then it was Elenore Sturko, MLA for Surrey South, on Monday, joining John Rustad and the Conservative Party of B.C. These defections leaving many wondering, will others join them? Chris Beach, political science instructor at CNC, says that the BC Conservatives have already been riding a wave of momentum, and now it is starting to snowball, and as a result, it has been an “earthquake in BC politics” over the last few days.

In a statement Monday morning, Sturko said: “Like the voters in my riding, I don’t believe the NDP deserve to win the next election, but when we split the vote we are handing them an election win … splitting the vote will only reward them with an election victory they don’t deserve.”

On Friday, Doerkson said: ““I have spent countless hours listening to my constituents in the recent months. The response has been overwhelming. The residents of Cariboo-Chilcotin want to see David Eby defeated and they want to see a common sense Conservative government in Victoria”.

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BC United MLA Mike Morris says that it was surprising to see Doerkson and Sturko cross the floor.

“It’s shocking to see them leave. They adopted the BC United principles and values when they ran as MLAs and were supported by all of our caucus and the BC United membership throughout the province. I find it troubling that they decided to put those values and principles aside and adopt [the values] of the BC Conservatives” – Mike Morris, MLA, Prince George-Mackenzie (BC United)

BC United has been lagging in the polls recently, only garnering about 12 to 13 percent, as opposed to the BC Conservatives who have been sitting in the 30 percent range.

“If it wasn’t for the polling, I really don’t think you would have people crossing the floor and joining the BC Conservatives. It does look like there’s a realignment taking place.” – Chris Beach, Political Science Instructor, CNC

Morris says that the BC Conservatives cannot provide voters with a middle of the road option, whereas BC United can, saying that the BC Conservatives “will never win government with purely conservative values, and if they still believe that, then we’re going to see an NDP government in place.” Morris also said that he thinks that BC United will form a majority government in the next election.

Voters will have their say on who will form government on October 19th.

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X: @AdamBerls

Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com