Vernon-Lumby candidate shocked by BC United closure, could join Conservatives

At 1:50 p.m., the Conservatives released a statement saying the BCU would suspend the campaign and encouraged candidates to join the party led by Jon Rustad.

“I have known (BC United leader) Kevin Falcon for 20 years, and while we have not always agreed, we both know there is too much at stake to let past disagreements stand in the way of defeating David Eby and the radical NDP,” Rustad, leader of the BC Conservative Party, said in the statement.

“I have never doubted Kevin Falcon’s commitment to our province and today I applaud his decision to put British Columbia first, as he has done throughout his career.”

The BCU had not released a statement at the time of publication, but the Conservatives’ statement included a quote from BC United leader Kevin Falcon.

“I returned to 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 statement.

“Today, I step back for the same reason. I know the best thing we can do for the future of our province is to defeat the NDP, but we can’t do that when the centre-right vote is split.”

As of August 28, no Conservative candidate had been announced for the Vernon-Lumby riding and, when speaking with Vernon counts Acton said he would need to get more information before considering options for his political future.

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

“If the party ends and everyone goes home, then there are a lot of things to think about.”

“I have to think about it a bit, because I just found out bits of the information five minutes ago. So I have to find out from the party what’s going on, and then I can make my decision from there.”