John Martin ditches B.C. Conservatives to seek B.C. Liberal nomination in Chilliwack

Now, the University of the Fraser Valley criminologist has decided to leave the B.C. Conservative fold and join his former foes.

The B.C. Liberal Party announced today (September 21) that Martin plans to run for its nomination in Chilliwack.

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

Martin placed third in the April by-election.

In an opinion piece published on the Georgia Straight website ahead of the by-election, Martin leveled the following criticisms at the B.C. Liberal government:

• "The Liberal government opened the door to burning garbage by approving a Metro Vancouver plan that will allow garbage incineration....A vote for the B.C. Conservatives is a vote to shut the door on the Liberal garbage incinerator."

• "Over the past decade, the Liberal government has created a “catch and release” justice system."

• "The Liberal government has failed the people of British Columbia and has squandered trust with the public on issues such paying $6 million in legal fees for two convicted criminals (Basi and Virk) and the introduction of the HST shortly after the last election when they said it was not on the table."

In the conclusion of his opinion piece, Martin wrote: "The best way to hold Christy Clark and this Liberal government accountable is by voting for myself, John Martin, and the B.C. Conservatives."

B.C. Conservative Leader John Cummins issued a statement in response to Martin's departure from his party.

"With regards to John Martin, who took our party to a third-place finish in last year's Chilliwack-Hope by-election, we wish him well in the future," Cummins said.

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