The party announced Tuesday it is considering becoming BC United, calling the name “a new alternative” that demonstrates its “longstanding commitment to unity.” The possibility of a name change was announced in June when party representatives voted to launch a consultation process. At the time, two-thirds of delegates voted to consider a new name, the party said. In the three months that followed, more than 2,000 name suggestions were made. Party vice-president Caroline Elliot said one of those names was “The Falconeers”, although BC United was by far the most popular. “I want to thank all the members who have participated in the process so far and I encourage them to participate in the vote when the time comes later this year,” BC Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon said in a press release. “I will personally vote to change the name of the party and I hope our members will too.” The BC Liberals are not affiliated with the federal Liberal party, which Falcon and others have previously said could be confusing to voters. “What we’re going for is something that’s non-partisan and the focus is on what we can do to make life better for British Columbians,” Elliott explained in an interview with CTV News. However, the party hosts federal Conservatives and Liberals. Gerald Baier, who is an associate professor of political science at the University of British Columbia, pointed out that the prime minister is a flashpoint, particularly with the “levels of vitriol that people have about Justin Trudeau right now.” “So the name (Liberal) is not toxic, but it is semi-toxic to some of the supporters who will … persecute,” Bayer added. Even if the name change is approved, the party said it would be introduced “strategically and responsibly”, noting that it does not “control the timing of the next election”. The party vote is expected before the end of the year and details of this process will be announced in the coming weeks. Each party member will be able to vote on whether the name changes to BC United or remains the BC Liberal Party. The party held a majority in the legislature from 2001 to 2017. That year, they won 43 of the 87 seats, but did not form a government due to a confidence and supply agreement between the BC NDP and the BC Greens. The party lost more ground during the 2020 elections, falling to just 28 seats. Falcon, who won the leadership race earlier this year, promised to renew and rebuild the party in a “root to branch” process, which included consultation on a new name. He recently removed longtime MLA John Rustad from the caucus after the Nechako Lakes representative questioned climate science. The NDP’s Ravi Callon sought to connect Falcon to previous Liberal cabinets he served in and said regardless of the name change, his party will make sure the public knows the Liberal leader’s background. “So I see it as an attempt to change his history and change the course of his party,” Callon told reporters. On social media, some are comparing the proposed new name to a football team. Elliot said she doesn’t mind. “People like sports, for one thing,” he said. “But more importantly, politics is a team sport.” With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Lisa Steacy
