B.C. Liberal name being dropped Wednesday as party to become B.C. United

VICTORIA – The British Columbia Liberal Party will formally become known as BC United on Wednesday, when leader Kevin Falcon introduces the party's new name, logo and brand.

The party announced in November that 80 per cent of Liberal members voted to proceed with the name change to BC United.

Party vice-president Caroline Elliott says it's going ahead with the name change with confidence that NDP Premier David Eby will not call an early election for this year, which would give voters little time to get used to the new BC United name.

She says debate about changing the party's name has been around for decades as some members worry about a perceived — but inaccurate — connection to the federal Liberal party.

Elliott says the BC United name change reflects the political, geographical, social and cultural diversity within today's party.

Falcon, who was elected leader last year, said that reconsidering the party name was a priority during his leadership campaign where he promised full-scale renewal.