Opposition BC United party looks to add former Liberal party name to election ballot

VICTORIA – British Columbia's Opposition BC United says it wants to include the party's previous Liberal name on the fall election ballot after internal polling shows up to 30 per cent of people didn't know the party changed its name.

BC United communications director Adam Wilson says the party is preparing to formally apply to Elections BC to have a phrase acknowledging that it was formally known as the B.C. Liberals included on the ballot for the election this fall.

BC United changed its name from the B.C. Liberals in April 2023 in a membership vote after Leader Kevin Falcon said a name change would fuel party renewal and end long-standing concerns about links to the federal Liberals by its Conservative supporters.

Elections BC was not immediately available for comment.

Wilson says the internal party polling conducted last week shows almost one-third of respondents were not aware the former B.C. Liberals name was changed to BC United.

He says including the former Liberal name on the fall ballot may help voters make their choice and could increase current polling numbers, which show BC United well behind the New Democrats and B.C. Conservatives.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 31, 2024.