Free enterprise coalition seeks to unite the right

The local open shop contractors association is calling on the provincial Conservative party to unite with the B.C. Liberal party to consolidate the free enterprise vote and ensure the New Democratic Party (NDP) lose the next election.

“It is common knowledge that the majority of British Columbians don’t support the NDP,” said Philip Hochstein, president of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA).

“The only time the NDP wins an election is when the free enterprise coalition splits the vote.”

Hochstein is spearheading a campaign by B.C. Liberal supporters to bring right of centre voters together for the next provincial election, which is set to take place on May 14, 2013.

He argued that a coalition could be based on common ground.

“When you look at the policies of the Conservative and Liberal parties in the province, they are not very different,” he said.

“We have more in common than we are different. If we focus on the policies that bring us together and speak about the policy areas where we disagree, then we can come together.”

The two parties may be similar, but Conservative leader John Cummins isn’t interested in joining forces.

“People are moving away from the BC Liberals and some are moving to the NDP, although I suspect only a few,” said Cummins earlier this year when Liberal supporters first started talking about a coalition with the Conservatives.

“But, many people are moving to the B.C. Conservative party and that’s what we anticipated. People are looking for a real alternative and we give people that legitimate voice.”

Cummins disagreed with Hochstein that the Conservative party is splitting the vote and making it possible for an NDP victory in the next election.

“We are not a coalition party,” Cummins said.

“We are a small C conservative party that has a vision for B.C.”

For example, one of the most important policies for B.C. Conservatives is the reduction of taxes to make the province a more attractive place for investment.

Even though the Conservatives and Liberals share this policy, Cummins claimed that B.C. has the highest taxes west of Quebec.

He called it a disgrace.

Cummins also said more people are leaving B.C. than coming here to live, which is the same situation that existed under the NDP in the 1990s.

He argued that Liberal policy has failed and the party has been discredited.

Hochstein doesn’t share this view.

“The small family owned construction businesses want the free enterprise coalition to stay together,” he said.

“We must put our provincial interests ahead of our party interests. It is too risky for us to split the vote and let the hard left party of Adrian Dix into power. This will create uncertainty, which reduces investment and economic growth.”

Hochstein said the name of the new coalition party isn’t important to his members.

“The best name is: the Anybody but the NDP party,” he said.

“Names are not important. We are interested in policy, not the label.”