B.C. MLAs crossing the floor face big risks, political experts say
Two B.C. United MLAs have switched to the BC Conservatives in recent days, a move political experts say can come with big risks.
“You’re going to be criticized merceilessly for abandoning your party, for abandoning your principles,” said B.C. pollster and political watcher, Mario Canseco of Research Co.
Still, in the past few days, BC United MLAs Lorne Doerkson and Elenore Sturko crossed the floor to the BC Conservatives.
In Sturko’s case the gamble was extra big. She's a bright star and member of the LGBTQ2S+ community, leaving her party to run for one with candidates openly critcal of that community.
"It's the kind of thing that can come back to haunt you in debates," said Canseco on Tuesday, the day after Sturko announced her move.
She's hardly the first to take the political plunge. Winston Churchill famously crossed the floor multiple times, emerging as one of history's great leaders.
Closer to home, B.C.'s longest serving current MLA, BC United's Mike De Jong, who announced he's leaving provincial politics and running for the federal Conservatives, has seen the move flop more often than soar.
"Historically these things tend to not work out very well for either the politician who makes the shift or the party they make the move to," said De Jong Tuesday.
A lot can depend on timing of the move and the politician's motivations for doing it.
Federal MP for Vancouver Kingsway, David Emerson, sparked outrage and an unsuccessful recall campaign when he left the federal Liberals for a cabinet post with the Harper Conservatives. He made the move right after the election and didn’t run in the next one.
"Timing is important in showbusiness and business and in politics," notes Hamish Telford, a political science professor at the University of the Fraser Valley.
Canseco said the strength of the party the candidate is joining is another factor.
For example, former MLA Gordon Wilson crossed the floor for a cabinet post with the NDP. He lost the next election, when the NDP were reduced to two seats.
"It didn’t work out for him and obviously didnt work out for the NDP in the 2001 election," noted De Jong.
Sturko has jumped to a surging party but may face a tough race when she runs in the Surrey-Cloverdale riding this fall. Sturko will be up against BC United star Claudine Storness-Bliss, who is a doctor at Surrey Memorial Hospital, and incumbent NDP MLA Mike Starchuk.
"It’s definitely going to be one of the ridings to watch," Canseco said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian family stuck in Lebanon anxiously awaits flight options amid Israeli strikes
A Canadian man who is trapped in Lebanon with his family says they are anxiously waiting for seats on a flight out of the country, as a barrage of Israeli airstrikes continues.
Suspect in shooting of Toronto cop was out on bail
A 21-year-old man who was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a Toronto police officer this week was out on bail at the time of the alleged offence, court documents obtained by CTV News Toronto show.
Scientists looked at images from space to see how fast Antarctica is turning green. Here's what they found
Parts of icy Antarctica are turning green with plant life at an alarming rate as the region is gripped by extreme heat events, according to new research, sparking concerns about the changing landscape on this vast continent.
DEVELOPING 2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.
Yazidi woman captured by ISIS rescued in Gaza after more than a decade in captivity
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman has been rescued from Gaza where she had been held captive by Hamas for years after being trafficked by ISIS.
A 6-year-old girl was kidnapped in Arkansas in 1995. Almost 30 years later, a suspect was identified
Nearly 30 years after a six-year-old girl disappeared in Western Arkansas, authorities have identified a suspect in her abduction through DNA evidence.
Dolphins 'smile' at each other when they play and to avoid misunderstanding, study finds
For humans, flashing a smile is an easy way to avoid misunderstanding. And, according to a new study, bottlenose dolphins may use a similar tactic while playing with each other.
Pit bulls in B.C. pet mauling tested positive for meth, cocaine, says city
Three pit bulls involved in a deadly attack on another dog last month in Kamloops, B.C., tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine, and the city is going to court to have them put down.
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment on Friday
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.