Growing difficulties for BC Conservatives under John Rustad

BC United and Premier David Eby’s New Democrats are intensifying their criticism of the swiftly growing BC Conservative Party, led by John Rustad.

BC United recently used a tinfoil hat bearing the BC Conservative logo as a prop to underscore what they perceive as the party’s alignment with conspiracy theories.

Despite receiving less than 2% of the vote in the 2020 provincial election, the BC Conservatives have surged in recent polls, even surpassing BC United, and are now seen as potential challengers to the New Democrats.

The BC Conservatives' rapid rise has been accompanied by controversy. Several of their candidates have shared views considered by many to be extreme, such as describing 5G technology as "genocide" and referring to Pride participants as "degenerates."

Both BC United and the New Democrats have expressed concerns about the direction of the party and the candidates it is fielding.

Campaign strategist Allie Blades suggests that despite these controversies, voters might focus more on Rustad’s leadership and the party’s overall brand.

Meanwhile, Prof. David Black points out that the BC Conservatives' swift transformation from a minor party to a major political force has been one of the most significant developments in BC politics.

The BC Conservatives, aiming to field a full slate of 93 candidates, have positioned themselves as a "big blue tent" party, with Rustad calling for unity to defeat the NDP in the upcoming October election.

However, the party’s association with controversial candidates and their views has led to scrutiny from both political opponents and the media.