B.C. centrists seek to revive provincial Liberal brand in wake of Conservative leadership race

Andrea Woo Vancouver Published 3 hours ago Open this photo in gallery: BC United Leader Kevin Falcon speaks after the former BC Liberal Party unveiled its new name and branding, in Surrey, April 12, 2023. Now dormant, the party is still a registered political entity with the formal ballot name of 'BC United (formerly known as the BC Liberal Party).' DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press Save for laterPlease log in to bookmark this story. Log InCreate Free Account Former supporters of the mothballed BC Liberal Party are mulling how to reclaim the party’s name in an effort to resurrect a centrist coalition and fill a widening gap in provincial politics. A group of those supporters met Saturday to plot a potential comeback. A 19-page slide deck circulated before the meeting emphasized the importance of the Liberal name, saying it is well recognized in B. C. and “already means something here.” The presentation also cited the success of the federal Liberals under Prime Minister Mark Carney, saying they “won back voters from across the spectrum a plan to build – not .” Members of the group were motivated after the May 30 election of Kerry-Lynne Findlay as BC Conservative Leader. Findlay, who vowed during the leadership race to stop a “Liberal takeover” of the province, is seen a more populist brand of politics that has galvanized supporters but left moderates without a political home. Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay promises to unite party after identity crisis Mark Marissen, a political strategist and former national Liberal campaign co-chair who participated in Saturday’s meeting, said that “the Canadian Liberal brand is one of the most successful brands in the world.” “Almost every riding in the province, either federally or provincially, in the last 10 years has been represented by a Liberal,” he said. But reclaiming the name is easier said than done. Under leader Kevin Falcon, the BC Liberal Party officially changed its name to BC United in April, 2023, in a disastrous rebranding effort that confused – and repelled – supporters. Now dormant, the party is still a registered political entity with the formal ballot name of “BC United (formerly known as the BC Liberal Party).” Under the B. Elections Act, a new party cannot be registered if any part of its identification is likely to be confused with another party that is currently registered or that has been registered in the past 10 years. Marissen called the name change under Mr.