He’s a battle-scarred veteran of many political wars in Vancouver. Whether it’s on the municipal or the provincial and federal levels, he’s one of the Left’s most capable warriors. Always trying to maintain a generally low profile, he’s been content playing key supporting roles.

So far, that is. Now, Neil Monckton is thinking about stepping forward himself.

He hasn’t run for any political office and never sought a nomination from a party. But that may change.

“I’m getting older, right?” Monckton joked, as the strains of opera music could be heard, over the phone with the Straight today (March 16).

The 45-year-old political warhorse is the president of the provincial NDP’s constituency association in Vancouver-False Creek.

That’s a riding where Vision Vancouver park board chair Constance Barnes is seriously considering a run as the NDP’s candidate in the next general election. Monckton, a former COPE board member and campaign manager, may go for it as well.

During the interview, the Straight observed that Monckton was not confirming anything, but he sounded pretty interested in Vancouver-False Creek.

“I don’t know,” he responded. “Who knows what I do like? I like a race. Races are good. They’re good for building a party.”

Always the strategist, Monckton noted that Vancouver-False Creek, which is currently held by the B.C. Liberals, is a winnable seat.

“People are starting to realize that,” he said. “And I expect that there will be other significant candidates coming forward. So nobody right now should expect anything but a race.”

Monckton was also asked why he started thinking about running himself.

“I’ve done a lot of work around civic issues, and I’m certainly very interested in the issues of housing affordability and transportation and democratic reforms,” Monckton said. “People are urging me to run and I’m thinking about it.”