In normal times I wouldn’t be writing a column about political candidates running as Independents, but these are not normal times.
At least three previously elected MLAs – one of them a former cabinet minister no less – are running as Independents in the coming election and what’s more is they all have a realistic shot at winning their seats.
Also, another half dozen or so former B.C. United candidates are running as Independents, and all have a chance of playing a decisive role in the election outcome.
We have never had a situation like this in B.C. politics. Then again, no political leader until Kevin Falcon has ever arbitrarily tried to “fire” a whole slew of dutifully chosen political candidates who had put their lives on hold to run.
What appears to be fueling at least some of these candidacies is the anger many feel about how they were essentially removed from a democratic process without warning or fair hearing.
Peace River South MLA Mike Bernier, who has served 11 years as first a B.C. Liberal MLA and then a B.C. United MLA (as well as being education minister), tells me he’s hearing about the anti-democratic nature of the takedown of B.C. United from his constituents.
“Thanks for standing up for democracy by running again,” is what Bernier says people are telling him.
Bernier considers himself a political centrist who wants no part of a fairly right-wing group like the B.C. Conservative Party, which he points out is not a free enterprise “coalition” party. He noted that the Conservatives have run candidates against hm in two of the last three elections, drawing about 30 per cent of the vote each time and finishing far behind his vote totals.
His neighboring Peace River North MLA Dan Davies and Kootenay-Rockies MLA Tom Shypitka are also running as Independents and both have a good shot at winning. Like Bernier, they are both well-liked and well-known in their ridings and have won by large margins in previous elections.
The three of them also have the advantage of being incumbents, which is another first for B.C. politics. Another B.C. United MLA, Karin Kirkpatrick in West Vancouver-Capilano, is widely expected to toss her hat in as an Independent, and Prince George-North Cariboo MLA Coralee Oakes is said to be considering doing the same.
That could mean five incumbent MLAs who have been elected a total of 11 times could be running as Independents, which would be historic to say the least.
B.C. United candidates are also running in Richmond, the Okanagan, and the Interior. The anger aimed at Falcon seems palpable – there is talk that some B.C. United candidates are mulling whether to file a class action suit against him for “emotional and financial” stemming from his unconditional surrender to the B.C. Conservative Party.
It’s pure speculation but consider this potential fascinating scenario: the October 19th election outcome mirrors that of the 2017 vote, which was essentially a dead heat between the B.C. Liberals and the B.C. NDP with neither party holding a majority of seats.
Seven years ago, it was the B.C. Green Party that held the balance of power.
This time around, it is conceivable some Independent MLAs could hold the balance of power when all the votes are counted.
B.C. politics are never dull!
Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global BC.
