The long-time former city councillor sometimes known as “Apparatchik” Tim Louis or Tim “Che Guevara” Louis said he plans to have another run at a council slot for COPE in November’s civic election.

“I am going to run for council, definitely,” Louis told the Straight by phone on June 24.

Louis said he also thinks “it is very important that COPE run a mayoral candidate”, which did not happen in 2005, when the party’s majority was reduced to one council seat, two park board spots and three school board spots.

“I have always said at the end of the day, that should be up to membership, but it is very important that the citizens of Vancouver are offered a clear alternative to the developer’s agenda put forward by the NPA,” he said.

When asked if he felt that Vision Vancouver mayoral candidate Gregor Robertson offered that alternative, Louis said: “I think we need to offer a clear alternative to Peter Ladner.”

Last year, when asked about Robertson running for mayor, Louis responded: “I haven’t heard of him. Who is that?”

According to COPE external chair Ellen Woodsworth, the COPE executive will meet on September 28 to decide the slate, which should settle the ongoing question of whether or not COPE will run a mayoral candidate or unite behind Robertson.

Vision internal cochair Carolyn Askew told the Straight by phone that there was “nothing scheduled” between Vision and COPE. “Right now we are regrouping and reorganizing after the nomination meeting,” Askew said.