BC United explores common ground and potential deal with surging BC Conservatives
CTV
At a news conference about after-school care Tuesday, Premier David Eby seemed preoccupied with the BC Conservatives and its leader John Rustad.
At a news conference about after-school care Tuesday, Premier David Eby seemed preoccupied with the BC Conservatives and its leader John Rustad.
No less than 10 times, Eby mentioned Rustad or the BC Conservatives – multiple times pivoting from questions on topics -- such as federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's views on decriminalization, to attacks on Rustad
The responses came on the same day as the latest in a series of polls showed a tight race between the NDP and BC Conservatives – only separated in an Abacus Data survey by six points. Meanwhile, the poll showed the official opposition BC United well behind in third, just ahead of the Greens.
"Obviously I'm not thrilled by those kinds of numbers," said BC United leader Kevin Falcon.
Falcon acknowledged Tuesday talks are underway behind the scenes between the two right-of-centre parties, including exploring the possibility of merger-type options.
"We have to put aside our own egos, our own party issues – everything else – and just figure out whether there's common ground, we can keep in mind the most important objective, which is making sure that we don't end up with another NDP government," said Falcon.
Also on Tuesday, the NDP re-ignited calls for Rustad and his candidates to declare their position on abortion rights.
