On September 22, just two days after Kerry-Lynne Findlay resigned as leader of the B.C. Conservatives amidst internal defections, incumbent Premier David Eby and the NDP chose to call an election with two years of a thin majority government in hand.
In a misjudged gamble to capitalize on anti-Trump momentum, a rudderless opposition, and the Carney-esque appeal of a “Build B.C. Strong” slogan, Eby and the B.C. NDP were never able to convincingly sell British Columbians on the necessity of an election. The backlash was swift. Angus Reid polling conducted before and immediately after the election announcement revealed a 12-point swing, turning a four-point NDP lead into an eight-point Conservative advantage in a matter of days.
On Saturday British Columbians delivered their verdict, rejecting Eby’s political opportunism and nine years of NDP rule.
Read our full analysis below.
