THE NDP is in a state of shock as BC United Leader Kevin Falcon on Wednesday announced that he is suspending his party’s campaign and encouraging all supporters to “unite behind John Rustad and the Conservative Party of BC to prevent another four years of disastrous NDP government.”

It is quite obvious that big business put monumental pressure on Falcon and his party to quit and unite with BC Conservatives. All the parties will now look forward keenly to one poll after another to gauge the voters’ reaction to this stunning development.

Falcon said in a press release: “I got into politics because I wanted to build a bright future for my two daughters and for the next generation of British Columbians. 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.”

The press release said that nominations of BC United candidates will be withdrawn to enable the Conservative Party of BC to draw from BC United’s pool of incumbent MLAS and candidates.

As part of the agreement between the two parties, the Conservaive Party of BC has committed to review candidates based on “an improved vetting process to ensure the strongest team possible going into election 2024.”

Rustad said: “I’ve known Kevin Falcon for 24 years, and while we haven’t always seen eye to eye, we both know that there is too much at stake to let past disagreements get in the way of defeating [Premier] David Eby and the radical NDP. 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.”

He added: “For the better part of two decades, Kevin Falcon has worked tirelessly to make our province a better place. 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.”

Falcon said: “John Rustad and I haven’t always agreed on everything, but one thing is clear: our province cannot take another four years of the NDP. When common sense, free-enterprise British Columbians are united, we get great things done. I’m encouraging all free-enterprise voters to come together and join me in helping elect John Rustad and the Conservative Party of BC in October.”

BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau said in a statement: “Democracy thrives on diverse voices, but BC’s political landscape is narrowing with the BC Conservatives entrenched on the right and the BC NDP drifting away from their progressive values. BC United at least took their role seriously, unlike these two parties, which have demonstrated little commitment to legislative processes or responsible governance.

“The choice is clear. More of the same or real change with the BC Greens. If people want change, it’s not going to come from a former BC Liberal Cabinet Minister like John Rustad, who protects industry profits over the province’s interests.

“Premier David Eby has demonstrated an unwillingness to act on the values the BC NDP claim to have, with their failures to address growing inequality and lack of basic services and a social safety net that people in BC should be able to count on.

“The BC Greens remain committed to providing the strong, progressive voice that puts the people of BC first.”

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