Over half of British Columbians say BC needs 'alternative' centre-right party

A poll recently conducted by Research Co. has found that over half of British Columbians would like to see a new centre-right party emerge as an "alternative" to the BC NDP and the BC Conservatives."

Results showed that 52% of respondents agreed a new centre-right party was needed, an increase of 4% since last year.

Support was highest among those who voted for the BC Greens or BC Conservatives in 2024, at 62% and 61%, respectively. Just over half, 51%, of BC NDP voters shared their sentiments.

When asked whether they believe the BC Conservatives are a "free enterprise coalition," 37% said yes, down 3% since last year. Nearly 40% agreed, however, that the party's next leader is a "premier-in-waiting."

Of the BC Conservative voters surveyed, 42% said they wanted their party to look like the federal Conservatives, while just 9% said it should emulate the BC Liberals.

Opinion of the BC Liberals, who served as the centre-right option in the province until leader Kevin Falcon folded the party — then renamed BC United — into the BC Conservatives in 2024, was divided.

Just over 40% said they had a favourable opinion of the party under Gordon Campbell, though 38% recalled that time unfavourably. The favourability decreased for the Christy Clark, Andrew Wilkinson, and Kevin Falcon eras, at 35%, 26%, and 23%, respectively.

Speaking of mergers, 39% said they'd like to see the BC Conservatives join forces with OneBC, 38% supported a BC Conservative - Centre BC coalition, and 38% said all three parties should come together as one.

On the other side of the aisle, 42% said it would be "good" or "very good" for the BC NDP and BC Greens to merge.

The poll was conducted online between April 16 and April 18, and had a sample size of 802. The margin of error is +/- 3.5%.