Kealy opts out of new BC political party
Two-thirds of the “true blue trio”, British Columbia MLAs Dallas Brodie and Tara Armstrong, have joined together to form a new political party in BC, months after abandoning the BC Conservative Party under whose banner they were elected.
Interim party leader Brodie announced the creation of the new party – OneBC Party – Thursday on social media.
“One BC is for British Columbians who are proud of their history and aren’t afraid to fight for a prosperous and beautiful future,” Brodie said in the media release accompanying the announcement.
“After nearly a decade of socialist policies, our province is falling apart. And when I realized that none of the other parties had the integrity or courage to make the bold changes we need to survive, I knew it was time to build something new.”
Among OneBC’s policies are tax cuts, cuts to red tape and a promise to curb spending to turn “structural deficits into surpluses and trigger an economic boom.”
The third MLA, who was elected as a BC Conservative but left the party with Brodie and Armstrong in early March, Peace River North MLA Jordan Kealy has not joined the fledgling party.
In a statement posted to social media following Brodie’s announcement, Kealy congratulated the pair and commended their “commitment to bringing fresh energy and ideas to the provincial landscape.”
For now, however, Kealy says he will remain an independent MLA.
“I believe I can best serve my constituents by staying rooted in the local issues that matter most – whether it’s infrastructure, economic development, healthcare access or supporting our rural communities.”
Kealy adds that he’s open to collaboration and conversation, and if OneBC’s values and priorities align more closely with Kealy’s in the future, he wouldn’t rule out working more closely together.
“For now, I remain committed to doing the job I was elected to do – standing up for Peace River North and delivering strong, independent representation in the Legislature.”