Floor-crossing MLA could boost the BC NDP: expert

A shakeup at the BC Legislature could be good news for the provincial NDP, according to a political expert.

Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman officially crossed the floor from BC United to become a member of the Conservative Party of BC Wednesday, giving the latter party official status.

Hamish Telford, a political scientist from the University of the Fraser valley, says Banman joining Leader John Rustad, who is also a BC United defect, means more legislative resources and a higher profile for the Conservative  Party. This in turn, Telford says, boosts the BC NDP by potentially splitting the right.

Related article: BC United Abbotsford MLA Bruce Banman jumps ship, joins Conservatives

And while at first glance it may look bad for BC United and Leader Kevin Falcon, Telford says that might not be the case.

“Kevin Falcon may feel that he’s rid himself of a headache,” he said. “Bruce Banman was a maverick mayor of Abbotsford back in the day, he’s been something of a maverick MLA, and true to maverick form, he’s left the party and joined another party.”

Telford says, historically, it’s been political suicide for people who cross the floor. The Conservative Party of BC is now made up of two people who have done so.

Another challenge for that party, according to Telford, is there are now too many conservative options in B.C.

“The big issue, I think, going forward is the relationship between BC United now and BC Conservatives,” he said. “They are both vying for those centre-right voters, and if one does not supplant the other, they could very well just divide the vote and make it a fairly easy electoral victory for the NDP.

“I’m sure that’s what the NDP is hoping for.”