BC CONSERVATIVES SOAR TO 14% VOTER SUPPORT

Vernon, BC Dec 11 2009 – A recent poll conducted by Innovative Research Group for the Canadian Restaurant and Food Services Association shows BC Liberal party support collapsing under the weight of their proposed HST legislation. The poll, which was conducted between Nov. 14 and Nov. 19, 2009, shows the BC Conservative Party at 14% support, just 8% behind the governing Liberals who have plummeted to 22% voter support. The NDP hold a slim lead at 25%. The sample of error for a poll this size is + or – 4%, 19 times out of 20. The poll also showed a majority of 54% of British Columbians believe BC is on the wrong track.

BC Conservative Party President, Wayne McGrath, says the poll is much more reflective of what he is hearing on the street from British Columbians. “This is exciting news. If an election were held today, there would be a minority government in BC, with the BC Conservatives holding the balance of power. We would be able to hold the government to account and help kill the HST,” said McGrath. “Many people in BC have had enough of the Liberals, but fear the emergence of the NDP. With a strong BC Conservative Party as an alternative, we would be able to stop the NDP from getting a majority. Without a strong third party like us, Liberal voters will stay home and the NDP would get a majority. The BC Conservatives are not prepared to let this happen,” said McGrath. McGrath said his party is moving forward with a Policy Development Convention in May, to be followed by a Leadership Convention to elect a new Leader in the fall.

“As our party grows, and as more and more people abandon the Liberals to come over to us, we are well poised to capitalize on that surging interest. To be at 14% so soon after the last election says volumes about our prospects for the future.” “With the right policies and Leader, we could easily eclipse the Liberals and move into second place in voter support leading up to the next election,” an excited McGrath contended. McGrath says voter disenchantment is widespread and deep. He says it has gone beyond just the introduction of an unpopular tax to a myriad of issues that affect British Columbians. He says more and more people feel they are being dictated to, rather than served by their government. “The Liberals think they own BC now. They don’t care what voters think anymore, and the voters are letting them know in these polls what they think of that,” concluded McGrath.