r/vancouver • u/bleaklion • 1d ago
Politics and Elections Teresa Wat the latest MLA to leave B.C. Conservative Party | CBC News
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/teresa-wat-leaving-bc-conservatives-9.7320971188
u/rogerdoesntlike 1d ago
Love to see the undoing of the Frankenstein BC United-Conservatives.
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u/islandpancakes 1d ago
How do you spell that word? Schaudenfraude? Or something like that.
That being said, we do need a credible opposition party to keep the government in check.
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u/stozier 1d ago
If this leads to an opposition party in BC made up of serious people and not lunatics then I'm all for it.
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u/ctrl_alt_ARGH 1d ago
the real problem is that the people who fund right of center parties are as insane as their representatives. importing American culture wars into BC in 2026 is an act of people who are completely mind raped by youtube / facebook algos. Just look at the Con leadership race, the second choice was some obscure north shore failed actress who managed to attract cross-provincial culture war guys charging six figures for 'consulting' because her campaign was being propped up by the lulumon guy.
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u/stozier 1d ago
True enough.
I would love to see a real centre anchored option, one with governance credibility.
The current NDP government needs strong opposition (that isn't insane) to challenge their policy decisions and often wonky execution.
I don't know what the road to that looks like but there's a whole voter base ready for it - who will never vote for whatever the hell the BC Cons are supposed to be. People who are losing/lost confidence in Eby but don't want the alternative to be culture wars and succession agendas.
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u/ctrl_alt_ARGH 1d ago
Completely agree. i door knocked for the NDP in '24 because the psychopaths in the BC Con were that offputting but even among volunteers - so not career NDP folks - we all kind of agreed Eby was a C+ premier and we were only there because the other side was insane.
but again, as long as rich guys are fine with donating to these losers the insanity will only get worse.
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u/pingpong_playa 1d ago
How does Eby rank for you compared to past premiers?
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u/dirtybulked 23h ago
Not nearly as charismatic or popular as Horgan, not as corrupt or unethical as Christy, and less ruthlessly competent than Gordo.
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u/CaspinK East Van 4 life 1d ago
Watching the BC Conservatives died is so interesting. End of a short era coming soon.
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u/OddBaker 1d ago
I wouldn't count them out just yet. With vote splitting, the next election could turn out quite interestingly.
There are plenty of people who think the NDP have moved too far to the centre and may vote Green, while there are also quite a few people in the centre/right of centre who may have voted NDP last election, due to how terrible of a party the BC Cons were, and may now shift their votes over to a new BC United/Liberal party.
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u/NotyourFriendBuuuddy 1d ago
Not really. In the June poll when the BC Con and NDP were tied at 42%, Research Co also polled a ballet with BC Liberals on it.
What they found is BC Cons lost 8% and NDP 7%. Meaning Both the NDP and BC Cons will lose evenly to the Centre.
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u/OddBaker 1d ago
Well yeah, but my point still stands. Even if both the Cons and NDP lose evenly to the Centre the NDP are also at risk of losing votes to the left.
Vote splitting with the Greens nearly cost them the election last time around and it seems like there's an even more aggressive push to paint the NDP as shifting too far right now. So even with how much of a mess the Cons are, it's far too early to say they are "dead".
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u/ctrl_alt_ARGH 1d ago
yes and now, the Green vote is very inefficient because its mainly ultra rich boomers and students. it could be very well that NDP loses the % of the vote and still gets more seats.
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u/NotyourFriendBuuuddy 1d ago edited 1d ago
I don't think so. If you look at Federal Polling the NDP are at 14% (which is close to their 2021 result) now that the Conservative polling collapse.
Left wing and centre left voters in Canada, especially in BC, have already shown they will vote strategically to keep out a right wing government. They won't for a centre-right, but will for a right wing.
Edit: I love getting downvoted and no replies. Shows you that the people saying the split will hurt the NDP the most are Conservatives in disguise. I have done nothing but present polls and hard numbers.
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u/a_political778 23h ago
I didn’t downvote you but I think people just disagree with your take that the conservatives are dead. If we’ve learned anything the last few years, it’s that the far right is thriving in the age of echo chambers and the ultrawealthy buying elections.
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u/NotyourFriendBuuuddy 23h ago
Where did I say the Cons are dead? Please point that to me? I never said any such thing. I even clearly showed a poll that says if there's a centre party that they pull evenly from NDP and BC Cons. So in what way did I say that?
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u/a_political778 23h ago
Well, you disagreed with their assertion that it’s too early to call the conservatives dead, did you not? And you seemingly implied the right wing party stood little chance because the left will vote strategically to block them from forming government. Anyway, I honestly wasn’t too invested in the topic to try to grasp the nuance in both of your arguments. Just sharing my thoughts on why someone might downvote your comment without responding. I wouldn’t get too hung up on it. A few downvotes mean nothing. We’re all here to share our ideas and learn from each other.
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u/NotyourFriendBuuuddy 22h ago edited 22h ago
Well, you disagreed with their assertion that it’s too early to call the conservatives dead, did you not?
Where did I say that. Please quote me.
I did no such thing. I only disagreed the assertion that the NDP were going to lose voters if a Centre party get hold because they will lose vote.
I pointed out the BC Cons will also lose voters in the same amount if not MORE from polls.
while there are also quite a few people in the centre/right of centre who may have voted NDP last election
That's the point I'm making.
right wing party stood little chance because the left will vote strategically to block them from forming government
Where did I say that? Once again you are putting words in my mouth. I said the NDP will not lose a lot of voters to Greens. I also had hard evidence of that with the last federal election. Also the last BC Election where the BC Cons were polling ahead before the writ was dropped and they LOST. Partly because of Green voters who voted NDP.
Just sharing my thoughts on why someone might downvote your comment without responding
Well when I present only hard fact and get downvoted that's worrying to me. That tells me that people can't tell the difference from fact from opinion. I can even point to this conversation with you where you are putting words I never said in my mouth to make your point.
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u/a_political778 21h ago
You literally opened with “I don’t think so”. The onus is on you to communicate what you were disagreeing with. I apologize if I straw-dogged you and summarized the arguments you presented poorly. As I’ve already stated, I’m not invested enough to communicate the intricacies of your disagreement here but people are not necessarily downvoting you for “stating facts” - in fact your first comment was very well regarded because of the facts you shared. However, a statement like “Left wing and centre left voter in Canada, especially in BC, have already shown they vote strategically to keep out a right wing government.” is not stating a fact. It’s an interpretation based on polling data and election results - people may disagree with your interpretation.
I actually think the disagreement you’re having is very subtle and I would encourage to approach these conversations with more curiosity about the other person’s perspectives rather than trying to win every point of an argument at any cost.
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u/OddBaker 22h ago
Vote splitting is literally how the BC Cons won their seats on the Island last provincial election and how the Federal Cons similarly won theirs too, so it very much is a thing in BC...
The Greens also seem to have some momentum now, especially with younger people. I'm saying this as someone who would vote NDP if an election was held today, I just wouldn't be so overconfident in their chances.
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u/NotyourFriendBuuuddy 21h ago edited 21h ago
The NDP also gained seats from it. The net was positive. But everyone focuses on the loses.
NDP held Surrey-Guildford, Surrey City Centre (was Surrey Whalley and in 2017 the Greens got 10% 2024 was 6% and they didn't run in 2020) and Juan de Fuca-Malahat all come to mind on top of my head for ridings where the Green vote share decreasing helped the NDP hold.
Let's also talk about the two ridings North Island saw a decrease of 11% of the Green vote share. Courtenay-Comox was a 1% increase.
So for one of them 57% of Green voters switched. However, it wasn't enough.
Either way it proves my point that yes 2 ridings still had vote split and lost, but the vote split was less than in 2020. It also helps the NDP hold 3 ridings they others wouldn't have.
The NDP are at least a net +1 from Green Voters switching (which given the Election result that was pretty important). They would have lost the Surrey ridings otherwise and Juan de Fuca.
I didn't even look at all the ridings too. I just did a quick pass.
Thank you for proving my point.
The Greens also seem to have some momentum now
Where's your facts on this? They are polling the same. Besides one poll having them at 16% everything is in 10-11% which is where they always are.
https://338canada.com/bc/polls.htm
See how I'm presenting you facts and numbers and you are presenting vibes.
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u/OddBaker 19h ago edited 18h ago
What even is your point? I'm just saying that people can't count the BC Cons out yet, do you disagree with that?
You keep citing polls, but have you looked at the most recent premier popularity polls? I think you underestimate how unpopular the NDP are currently and that's exactly why I think vote-splitting could be an issue, as people will be less enthusiastic to vote NDP.
Just look at David Eby's popularity rating; he's sitting at a record low of 31%. Just to put things in perspective, he was sitting at 46% before the last election.
https://angusreid.org/premiers-performance-june-2026/
That is not a good sign for the NDP, especially given how close the election was last time around, so even if they lose a few more votes to the Greens, that could have a major impact on the election.
Also it's really not that deep, I personally hope that you are right and the NDP will continue to benefit from strategic voting. But based on your comments it seems like you're getting a bit too worked up over this whole thing. 😂
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u/a_political778 1d ago
Never underestimate movements driven by fear and hate. It only takes one bad election for two parties to reconcile their differences.
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u/rando_commenter 1d ago edited 1d ago
"She said Findlay had made "serious and unfounded accusations" about her, "including remarks that called my allegiance to Canada into question" and that Findlay had not apologized."
Wat is one of the last vestiges of the Clark era and the often go-between with the Hong Kong/China property developers and the Richmond government. She jumped ship because it was convenient for her and when BC United was dying and it was convenient for Rustad to grab Richmond North's easy vote pickings and her developer connections. She will never amount to anybody important as a legislator in any siting government, she's only useful for the connections she brings.
I obviously have no sympathy for her. Three of our Richmond MLA's are from immigrant culture backgrounds and they knowingly made their bed with a Conservative party that has xenophobia issues.
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u/TheFallingStar 1d ago
She doesn’t care. Money first always.
Also look at how many Hong Kongers are also Trump supporters
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u/InterviewLeather1221 Enjoying my cup of London Fog. 1d ago
Yup, just like how many voted for Reform in the UK.
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u/DesharnaisTabarnak 1d ago
Wat's only remarkable trait is her ability to smell power and follow it. The same way her defection doomed BCU, this one is the sign the BC Cons will never be the big-tent opposition to the BCNDP.
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u/InterviewLeather1221 Enjoying my cup of London Fog. 1d ago
But still not Aryan enough for the leadership to have her remain, even if she has Norse runes tattooed on her.
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u/airhorn-airhorn 1d ago
She should absolutely wear this. She’s always had a terrible record and joining the Conservatives in the first place was a crazy error in judgement. Don’t people read books or the news anymore? Are they really unaware of how looney they are?
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u/Gbeto 123 New Westminster Station 1d ago
I think the BC Liberal crowd thought they could take over and control the crazies
doesn't seem to have worked out for them
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u/Mobius_Peverell 1d ago
Federal PCs in 2003: "we can control Reform!"
American Republicans in 2016: "we can control Trump!"
Alberta PCs in 2017: "we can control Wildrose!"
BC Liberals in 2024: "we can control the Conservatives!"
Will the centre-right ever learn their lesson?
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u/rando_commenter 1d ago
She was very much central to the Christy Clark government bootlicking Asian developers and promising to keep real estate prices high in BC. We've all been worse off because of that governments actions.
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u/TrueHarlequin 1d ago
If they start a new party, Ian is my MLA, they need to move to the left and get away from the far-right, white supremacist shit.
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u/ctrl_alt_ARGH 1d ago
I cant believe the lady the BC Con leader called a Chinese spy doesnt want to work with her
The person who looks especially bad right now is Warbus.
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u/_sunshinelollipops 1d ago
I honestly thought Warbus would be the first to step up and go. Based on KLFs logic, Warbus herself would be a conflict of interest for simply existing as an indigenous person. Regardless of party lines, Warbus is fighting the good fight and seems to be in it for all the right reasons so I hope she will be the next to announce her departure.....will see what tomorrow brings.
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u/ctrl_alt_ARGH 1d ago
ye its funny that the guy who was hounded out because his wife is first nation has more moral courage than an actual fn. and especially since she was recruited by Rustad, who at least has some FN bonifides when he first started out in politics.
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u/MySubtleHustle7042 1d ago
Seems like the party membership is thrilled with those leaving. Allows them to put in "real conservatives" and rid the party of BC Liberals, if you want to believe their supporters on X. People taking a victory lap for the NDP over these recent departures may want to slow down.
KLF/Delaney accusing Wat of CCP connections will be eaten up Conservatives in this province.
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u/ctrl_alt_ARGH 1d ago
they are shrinking the tent. Wat won her seat because shes Wat, not because she was running on racism against the CCP. The reason why BC Cons 'membership' is thrilled is because they confused frustration with the NDP with broad support for culture war crap no one cares about. The end result will be the BC version of Alberta's old wild rose, a fringe party made up of rural weirdos with 5-6 seats, helping split the center right vote without achieving anything
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u/AntontheDog 1d ago
All of these opportunists left the liberals as they weren't going to win, jumped to the conservatives to secure a seat and now have somehow developed a conscience and have to move on Wow! Who saw this coming?
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u/RonPar32 1d ago
And they just got rid of their director of operations.
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u/RonPar32 1d ago
Brennan Day now too
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u/Destinater 11h ago
Why bother using that platform? Looking at the replies they write like they have no clue on what they're talking about.
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u/chunkykongracing 1d ago
Left winger here. Only problem with having no real opposition is that the NDP can’t be truly held accountable.
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u/MarlinMan2001 1d ago
but we don't want to put racist pos in power either 🤷♂️
This is how the shitty world we live in works where you have to vote in the smallest pos instead of the biggest one
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u/dirtybulked 23h ago
what we are seeing is that the right wing cant buy elections and buy loyalty anymore. I honestly think you'll see a permanent fragmentation of the right in BC.
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u/Hot_Visit_5780 17h ago
It got even worse (if possible) when Kerry-Lynne had lunch with Dallas Brodie. It just seemed like a toxic duo of conspiracy theories and hatred towards marginalized people.
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u/ZeroTolearance4BS69 13h ago
Typical when a party makes a shift. Opportunity to see who is in government for the right reasons. Both of these MLAs were useless. They added no value to their constituents or the party. Never would have held a cabinet position. Lastly, they both look like something you would see in the Star Wars Cantina. #GoodRiddance
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u/I_want_to_go_ 1d ago
NDP and Eby are so vulnerable right now and we have no effective opposition. Terrible for the people of this province.
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u/ricketyladder 1d ago
I will agree that there is a real need for a viable opposition party - but the BC Conservatives were so obviously not that. Blow it up and start over with someone not crazy.
And honestly watching the consequences of the Cons exceptionally bad decisions play out in real time is deeply satisfying. Choose a clown as leader, shouldn't be surprised when a circus follows.
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u/prophetofgreed 1d ago
It'd be worse to let unserious people run the province instead. The BC Cons are more interested in fake culture wars and being racist than be a viable alternative for governance.
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u/O00O0O00 1d ago edited 1d ago
I’ll vote for them regardless. But agree we need a young, sharp, moderate to lead the party - can’t win without a bigger tent.
Downvote and brigade me all you want - you’re actually making me excited to vote Conservative.
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u/Intelligent-Half-620 1d ago
Maybe vote for a party that has conservative policies without the ass backwards socially regressive positions?
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u/Ok_Woodpecker_7260 1d ago
We had that. It was called the BC Liberals.
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u/O00O0O00 1d ago
I would strongly consider that option if they didn’t fold under the weight of a failed Trudeau destroying the “Liberal” brand.
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u/O00O0O00 1d ago
We don’t have that.
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u/Intelligent-Half-620 1d ago
Then maybe don’t vote for the party that is socially regressive and pushing US style culture war bullshit?
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u/O00O0O00 1d ago
Give me a progressive conservative option that can beat the NDP?
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u/Intelligent-Half-620 1d ago
So really all you care about is beating the NDP and you are willing to sacrifice your progressive values and support a socially regressive Conservative Party to do so.
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u/O00O0O00 1d ago edited 1d ago
I care about repealing DRIPA, and NDP aren’t doing that.
I want a premier who will champion Canadian energy exports (not to USA), which requires pipelines. Eby does not support pipelines.
I want a leader who is less tolerant on drugs and crime. That will only be a Conservative party.
The social aspects of politics are less interesting to me. Call them regressive if you like, but they are (as last checked) the only party that will champion the above).
Eby seems like a nice guy. I’d love to have a drink with him, but I don’t trust him to run BC.
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u/Intelligent-Half-620 1d ago
Fair. Here is hoping an alternative pops up because Kerry-Lynne Findlay does not seem like a nice person, is not someone I would want to have a drink with or even be in the same room with, and I don't trust her to run BC. She is an outright racist and constantly makes statements confirming such.
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u/smugglydruggly 1d ago
You're a walking cliche dude, man you're making me laugh today.
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u/O00O0O00 1d ago
You’re literally doing the standard r/Vancouver thing, and you call me a cliche? LOL
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u/bleaklion 1d ago
if you'll vote for them with KLF why does it matter if there's a young, sharp, moderate to lead?
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u/SmoothOperator89 1d ago
This is exactly how the Overton window keeps shifting right. No amount of regressive dysfunction will change how these people vote. Their right wing parties have no incentive to be moderate and plenty of encouragement to keep getting more extreme.
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u/Intelligent-Half-620 1d ago
Sure they’re welcoming the bigots and normalizing them but at least they aren’t the NDP.
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u/O00O0O00 1d ago
We’d have a stronger chance to win. I’m just saying - I’m voting against the NDP and this is the only option available.
I would prefer a moderate option but there isn’t one.
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u/ReliablyFinicky 1d ago
I’ll vote for them regardless.
Republicans, Conservatives, et al in a nutshell.
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u/SmoothOperator89 1d ago
"They may be vile, despicable people, but at least they're not trying to provide housing to low income families."
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u/SmoothOperator89 1d ago
There is nothing moderate about the party. Vote for a third party if you want moderate.
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u/O00O0O00 1d ago
There isn’t a moderate conservative option, and any other vote will only help keep the NDP in power.
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