The BC Conservative party has its first leadership candidate. And it’s the party’s former leader.
Dan Brooks resigned in January but says he’s prepared to resume his former position. In a statement released yesterday, Brooks said now that lawsuit launched against him by an individual he describes as a “losing candidate” based on “unfounded speculation and a misrepresentation of facts” has “gone nowhere,” he’s focused on what comes next.
“Now I’m looking to the future of what’s going to be happening in 2017 in the election. The leadership of the BC Conservatives is up right now and the deadline is up in a couple of weeks so I figured, if I was going to do it, I needed to make that decision now. So I threw my hat back in the ring.”
While he doesn’t have any competitors yet, at least not officially, Brooks says he has a lot of support from within the party.
“I’ve been encouraged by a lot of members and they’ve asked me to come back. I believe that, at this time, I represent the best hopes the BC Conservatives have. At this point in time, the Conservatives need a leader and, by golly, I’m not going to let the Liberals just walk away with this election uncontested.”
Brooks admits getting the party in shape to be a real contender in 2017 could be a bit of an uphill battle.
“We’re starting from way behind relative to the Liberals and the NDP. We’ve got a lot of ground to make up and there’s lots of work that has to to be done. In the next few months, as we engage in the discussion more and raise our profile, I think that British Columbians will respond positively to that.”
But there are two sides to every coin and Brooks sounds like he’s optimistic about the party’s chances.
“We have a ton of room to grow and tons of opportunity. This is the key thing is the Liberals and the NDP, they’re kind of a couple of stagnant old parties. So the BC Conservatives come in as the fresh face. There’s lots of opportunities for new people in politics.”
Brooks says he’s pleased the party has decided to hold its leadership convention in his home riding for the first time.
“Oh man, I think it’s wonderful that it’s here in Prince George. I pushed for that when I was leader and I do think that this is the region where we’re strongest in the province, where we have the most support. So yes, I’m excited about the AGM and leadership convention coming up in Prince George. Of course, it’s local for me.”
The BC Conservative AGM and leadership convention will take place in Prince George on September 17.
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