Kevin Acton photo courtesy of B.C. United

By Liam Verster

B.C. United Campaign Suspended

UPDATE: Kevin Acton in favour of joining a more centre-right Conservative party

Aug 28, 2024 | 2:26 PM

The now-former B.C. United Candidate for the Vernon-Lumby riding is entertaining the idea of joining his once-rival party.

Kevin Falcon announced Wednesday, August 28, that B.C. United would end its campaign, just two months ahead of the provincial election, as poll numbers were slipping and there was a risk of the centre-right vote being split.

In his announcement Falcon, encouraged supporters instead back the Conservative Party of B.C., and that all the B.C. United candidates, including current legislators, would be withdrawn so the Conservatives could potentially absorb them into the party if they wish.

Falcon’s statements came in a release from the Conservatives, in which the party said it would update its review process to determine the best candidates for ridings where there were candidates named for the two parties.

After calling in to a party meeting, Lumby Mayor Kevin Acton told Vernon Matters that while he was initially surprised by the move, he did understand the intention of dissolving B.C. United to form a coalition party to contend against the NDP.

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“I’m a little bit inspired to learn that they said they’re going to go through the candidate list and select a team that they think would be the most successful in making sure we keep a good, successful opportunity in the upcoming election,” Acton said.

He said he would reach out to the Conservative Party of B.C. to see if they would accept his as the candidate, as the party had not yet nominated it’s own representative for Vernon-Lumby, and would consider the position if asked.

“Until I actually hear from Kevin [Falcon] or [Conservative Party of B.C. Leader John Rustad], I’ll just sit on the bench and warm it until I get called up.”

Acton said he believed in centre-right governing, and that the combined parties could align more in that direction moving forward.

“They’ve already had a few B.C. United candidates move over to their party, and some of our staff as well, so I would imagine that when you have joint forces like that that you’d see influences from both parties,” Acton told Vernon Matters, adding he hoped some of the former-party’;s proposed policies be adopted by the Conservatives.

“We had some amazing policy moving forward, I though the policies we were playing for were very stong. It’s just we weren’t seeing the uptick from the public and I’m not sure if they were really finding out about our policies, to be honest.

“We’ll see what the Conservatives grab onto and I’m hoping, no matter what happens, they’ll take a really good look at some of those policies because there was some really strong policy put out.”

The provincial election is scheduled for October 19.

— Vernon-Lumby candidate shocked by B.C. United folding, potentially joining the Conservatives —

B.C. United, the former B.C. Liberal Party, is folding ahead of the fall provincial election, much to the surprise of the local candidate.

“It’s really unfolding very quickly so definitely caught me by surprise, and I’m still trying to figure out what it means for me,” Kevin Acton, Mayor of Lumby and the BCU candidate for the Vernon-Lumby provincial riding, told Vernon Matters.

“I really don’t have the details of what’s going on yet, so I actually don’t really have an opinion yet because I’m not sure what to have an opinion on.”

Acton spoke to Vernon Matters at around 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, and he said there would be a party-conference call in the afternoon to inform the candidates and sitting MLAs of the trajectory of the party.

At 1:50 p.m. the Conservatives issued a release stating BCU would be suspending the campaign, and encouraged the candidates to join the party led by Jon Rustad.

“I’ve known [B.C. United leader] Kevin Falcon for 20 years, and while we haven’t always seen eye to eye, we both know there is too much at stake to let past disagreements get in the way of defeating David Eby and the radical NDP,” Rustad, leader of the Conservative Party of B.C., stated in the release.

“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.”

BCU had not issued a statement as of time of publication, but the Conservative release did include a quote from B.C. United Leader Kevin Falcon.

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

“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.”

A conservative candidate for the Vernon-Lumby riding had not been announced as of Aug. 28, and during the conversation with Vernon Matters Acton said he would need to get more information before he considers the options for his political future.

“When I see what’s going on, like if it’s a merger, then absolutely I’m interested,” Acton said.

“If the party’s folding and everybody’s just going home, then there’s lots to think about.”

“I need to think about if for a bit because I only five minutes ago just found out bits and pieces. So I’ve just got to find out from the party what’s going on, then I can make my decision from there.”