Fourth BC United MLA defects to Conservative party

BC United Leader Kevin Falcon is losing a fourth member of the legislature to the Conservative Party of British Columbia.

BC United’s director of communications Adam Wilson says in a statement that Teresa Wat, who represents the riding of Richmond North Centre, has indicated her intention to join John Rustad’s B.C. Conservatives.

3:04 Fourth BC United MLA defects to Conservative party

Wat was elected under the BC Liberal banner three times beginning in 2013, prior to the party changing its name to BC United.

Wilson says the party wants candidates who share its vision and values and if Wat feels that her values better align with Rustad’s, “we wish her well.”

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Wat says it wasn’t an easy decision to switch her allegiance but said she had been thinking about it for months and made the move after hearing from her constituents in Richmond North Centre that their top concern was ousting Premier David Eby’s NDP government.

2:43 BC United candidate defects to Conservatives

Rustad welcomed Wat to his party’s slate of candidates, saying he’s worked with her since 2013.

BC United has lost several high-profile candidates and members of the legislature to the provincial Conservatives.

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