JOHN MARTIN RESIGNS FROM BC CONSERVATIVE PARTY, SEEKS BC LIBERAL NOMINATION IN CHILLIWACK

September 21, 2012

CHILLIWACK – John Martin, the BC Conservative Party’s candidate in the Chilliwack-Hope by-election in April, has resigned his membership with the BC Conservatives today and intends to seek the BC Liberal Party’s nomination in Chilliwack.

Martin, a criminologist who teaches in the School of Criminology at the University of the Fraser Valley, made his decision based on his belief that the BC Liberals are the only free enterprise party capable of beating the NDP in 2013.

“The reality is that there is more that unites than divides supporters of free enterprise in British Columbia,” said Martin. “In 1975, Bill Bennett united the free enterprise coalition following the election of a disastrous NDP government. In 1997, Gordon Campbell united free enterprisers following Glen Clark's election. I don’t want to wait until Adrian Dix and the NDP are elected to unite forces. I have made this decision to help prevent that from happening.”

Martin is encouraging British Columbians who don’t want to see the NDP form government to unite with him and join with Premier Christy Clark and the BC Liberals.

“Premier Christy Clark and the BC Liberals have demonstrated to me that they are open to new ideas and other points of view,” added Martin. “Since the by-election, they have reached out to British Columbians while the BC Conservatives have focused on internal battles.”

Martin was welcomed to the BC Liberal Party in Chilliwack by MLA John Les and Laurie Throness, the BC Liberal candidate in the Chilliwack-Hope by-election.

“It starts here in Chilliwack. The free enterprise coalition is coming together and the momentum will be unstoppable,” said Les. “One small action can lead to a great movement of British Columbians who want a strong free enterprise alternative to the NDP. I’m pleased that John Martin recognizes that our best alternative is the one offered by Premier Christy Clark.”

A candidate selection meeting in Chilliwack has not yet been scheduled. Martin says he will immediately get to work to earn the support of local BC Liberal members.

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For more information:

Sam Oliphant
604-606-6017
sam.oliphant@bcliberals.com