‘Balance of power’: support for Independent candidates highest in Northern B.C., survey finds [Video]

FORT ST. JOHN –New polling from Research Co. shows 16 per cent of decided voters in Northern BC would back Independent candidates, the highest proportion across the province’s five regions.

“A lot of positive chatter out there that don’t like seeing this polarizing politics and its great to see there’s a choice out there in many of these ridings,” said Mike Bernier in an interview with CTV.

With the collapse of the BC United last month, five current MLAs have announced they will be running as Independents, most recently Karin Kirkpatrick for the riding of West Vancouver-Capilano, tightening the race in the upcoming election.

“We’ve never seen a political leader throw in the towel just weeks before an election was to be called, so we are in an unprecedented situation,” said University of Fraser Valley Political Science Professor Hamish Telford.

The five incumbents running as Independents not only make …