B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad speaks during a news conference after former BC United MLA Teresa Wat joined the Conservatives, in Richmond, B.C., on July 30. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. - Independent candidates in British Columbia's upcoming fall election could be potential "power brokers" after what is expected to be a closely-fought contest between the New Democrats and the B.C. Conservatives, says the latest BC United candidate to drop party affiliation.

Dan Davies, first elected in 2017 in the Peace River North riding, announced his move Thursday, saying Independents could play pivotal roles if the election results in a minority situation.

"The election will be close in many aspects and there's a number of Independents who will be running for the first time," he said at a news conference.

"In fact, they are expecting a record number of Independents running, which could very well become the power brokers in a legislature that is looking like it might be a minority government."

Davies said he was joining BC United colleagues Mike Bernier and Tom Shypitka, who announced earlier this week that they were seeking re-election as Independents.

Davies said he wanted to continue representing his constituents in the northeast B.C. riding, and was left with no choice but to take the Independent route.

The manoeuvres come after last week's bombshell announcement from BC United Leader Kevin Falcon that the Official Opposition was ending its campaign and would instead throw support behind the B.C. Conservatives, led by John Rustad.

Falcon said he made the move to prevent vote-splitting among centre-right voters that could have helped the NDP.

Davies said that's not an issue in B.C.'s northeast, where the NDP traditionally has little chance of winning seats.

"The NDP get nine per cent, so this is basically really making sure the voters have a choice," Davies said in an interview. "We need to make sure they have a decision to make to choose the right conservative candidate."

He said he can foresee political shifts after the election, especially if neither the B.C. Conservatives nor Premier David Eby's NDP win a majority.

"Conversations will be had," Davies said. "Without a doubt, conversations will be had. Is that staying as an Independent? Is that potentially joining the Conservatives? Who knows what that will look like. Those decisions will happen after Oct. 19."

Davies, who described himself as a longtime "progressive conservative," said he contacted Rustad to discuss his possible candidacy for the B.C. Conservatives, but his overtures were not returned.

Davies said last week's decision by Falcon to suspend United's campaign came as a "gut-punch," as it was reached without consultation.

"I'm very disappointed in Kevin's decision as we were not consulted," he said. "It's just not the way things should be done."

The suspension of the BC United campaign triggered a dash to consolidate the two parties' candidate lists, with some BC United members running as Conservatives, some withdrawing re-election bids, and others considering Independent status.

Shypitka, the BC United MLA for Kootenay East, which forms part of the new Kootenay-Rockies riding, said in a Facebook live announcement Wednesday that the situation had created a "perfect storm" for Independent candidates.

Bernier, who has represented his Dawson Creek area Peace River South riding since 2013, said the Independents could hold the balance of power, in a situation similar to 2017 when three Green MLAs helped the NDP form a minority government.

BC United MLAs Ian Paton, Peter Milobar and Trevor Halford have meanwhile joined the B.C. Conservatives after being contacted by Rustad.

Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau said voters should consider her party as a stable and secure alternative to the B.C. Conservatives or the NDP.

"The Greens are a great option for people," said Furstenau, adding she is the only party leader in this campaign who was elected in a leadership vote — Eby and Rustad were acclaimed.

"We are proven," said Furstenau. "We are very consistent. We are hard working. We get things done."

The Greens currently have two members in B.C.'s 87-seat legislature.

Davies said he was open to political shifts following the election, but would never consider the NDP.

"Oh my God, take back those words," he said when asked if he would look to the NDP. "I am a centre-right moderate conservative."

— By Dirk Meissner in Victoria

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 5, 2024.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2024