As British Columbians live in a political vacuum with the specter of a possible election at any timesome frustrated politicians and disgruntled party members are discussing the possibility of a fourth political party.

After BC United leader Kevin Falcon announced in August that he would not present any candidate in this month’s electionsCentrist voters described feeling politically homeless, with the right-wing BC Conservatives and the center-left NDP the dominant options.

“There are people all over B.C. trying to have parties in their basements and we’re communicating a lot through WhatsApp in other ways to just say ‘let’s take a step back, see what happens in the election and let’s try to build something.’ ” said Karin Kirkpatrick, who occupies BC United’s headquarters in West Vancouver-Capilano.

She was elected as a BC Liberal MP in 2020 and still believes the name and brand have cachet. So she and others are considering reviving them as a centrist option — but she knows they’re doing it. I can’t joke with a fragile minority government almost certain.

“There’s a conversation about this and now it’s time to move forward and try to crystallize it,” she said.

HOW FEASIBLE IS A FOURTH PARTY?

One of B.C.’s most prominent pollsters and political analysts says there’s potential for a fourth party to make headway.

“If you do this right, if you have a popular enough leader, if you have candidates considered credible by residents, then you can achieve this,” said Mario Canseco, president of Research Co. “The fact that we A result that is inconclusive at this point certainly suggests that people who voted for the BC Liberals in the past did not know where to go.

Kareem Allam, a former BC Liberal strategist turned NDP supporter, praised Kirkpatrick’s campaign and his integrity, but sees too many challenges with a party facing lawsuits, unpaid bills, and other complications.

“I think there is a lot of desire in the province to have an alternative to the Conservative Party, a party concerned with the economy, job creation and wealth creation, and a lot of people are naturally looking to try to resurrect the BC Liberal Party,” he said. . “It’s not going to be that simple. Many Liberal MPs have joined the Conservative Party, as have a large number of major donors.”

BIGGER INFLUENCES AT GAME

Two major factors influence politics at all levels in Canada and the Western world: the desire for change from the status quo and the rise of right-wing populism that has energized many conservative parties.

Allam believes that any party with progressive values ​​would likely split the vote to the left, resulting in reduced support for the NDP rather than the BC Conservatives, and Kirkpatrick is one of many who have pointed out that the popularity of Pierre Poilievre’s federal conservative party has strengthened Rustad’s support, even though the two parties are separated.

“People voted in a different election than they thought because it really depended on anyone but the NDP, but at the same time on Trudeau,” she said. “There was some confusion between the brands.

A final tally of votes is expected Monday, with a recount planned in two constituencies, with the leading candidates being separated by only dozens of voices.