B.C. Conservative leadership candidate Yuri Fulmer and One B.C. Leader Dallas Brodie have struck a deal not to compete with each other in the next election should Fulmer be voted in as party leader.
A joint statement from Fulmer and Brodie called the deal the “Unite the Right Accord,” describing the plan for the B.C. Conservatives to run in 88 ridings and One B.C. to run in five, with each party standing down to clear a path in each other’s races.
Brodie said in a written statement that this would prevent the Conservative Party from being handed over to “B.C. Liberal insiders” who previously supported the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
“One B.C. will proudly remain an Independent party, but we must put the province first,” she said. “I am throwing my full support behind Yuri Fulmer for premier.”
Fulmer talked about the need to avoid splitting votes by building a “Conservative firewall” in the next election.
“While the political establishment in Victoria plays backroom games and divides our movement, we are doing the hard work of bringing conservatives together,” he said in a written statement.
The deal includes a provision for the two parties to enter into a confidence and supply agreement that would ensure Brodie’s party has a voice in a Conservative government.
One B.C. communications director Wyatt Claypool said that Brodie chose to sign the agreement because Fulmer is willing to recognize One B.C.’s legitimacy as a political force and guarantee it a seat at the table in government.
“One B.C. isn’t going away, and you can’t simply demand that One B.C. voters go for the conservatives,” he said. “We have our own unique voters.”
Brodie was unavailable for comment herself due to illness. Black Press Media has reached out to the Fulmer campaign for comment.