A coalition of former BC Liberal/United executives, riding association leaders, supporters, and volunteers have launched a campaign to "reclaim" the party from leader Kevin Falcon.
The Unite Liberal BC network is calling on him to "step aside," citing "party constitution, active debt-free status, and the need for a viable centre-right alternative to defeat the BC NDP."
During the 2024 election, Falcon joined forces with John Rustad, folding the party into the fledgling BC Conservatives in the hope that together they could defeat the BC NDP. Despite having no electoral presence, he has retained control of the party — and its name — ever since.
In a press release, Unite Liberal BC noted that the party is "an active, now debt-free registered political entity with valuable assets and an active constitution that vests authority in its membership."
"Right now, four individuals are holding the keys to an organization built by tens of thousands of dedicated volunteers and donors," lead organizer and former executive council member Carol Fielding said. "The two-year window has passed, our constitution exists to govern moments like this, and it is time for Kevin Falcon & Directors to step aside so the membership can decide the future of our party."
The coalition's goals include "locating and reconnecting individuals who held active memberships, voted on the 2023 name change, donated, or supported riding associations during the 2023–2024 election cycles," and "enforcing internal party constitutional bylaws to ensure leadership selection and executive governance return to the grassroots."
Once that is completed, they hope to begin "establishing a viable roadmap to provide British Columbians with a principled, mainstream centre-right alternative in provincial politics."
Fielding made it clear the network is not at all connected to ex-BC Conservative MLA Peter Milobar's new party.
