BC Conservatives won't field candidate in Delta-South

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The provincial Conservative Party won't be running a candidate in the riding of Delta South out of respect for incumbent independent MLA Vicki Huntington, according to the party's spokesman, James Mitchell.

They will, however, run a candidate in Delta-North, though he did not say who that might be.

There has been speculation in recent months whether Huntington might join the caucus of the BC Liberals or BC Conservatives.

But Huntington, who was elected in 2009 by a margin of just 32 votes over BC Liberal candidate Wally Oppal, says she'll likely run again as an independent.

"If I saw a change in wanting to use the legislature effectively and democratically I would be comfortable in looking at working with the government party," said Huntington, before adding she hasn't seen that happen.

Nor is she looking to join the BC Conservatives.

"They have worked really hard at trying to create another option. Whether it's going to be as viable as they hoped by the time the election comes remains to be seen," she said."

Meanwhile, Delta Chamber of Commerce Chair Kelly Guichon hasn't said whether she will seek the nomination for the BC Liberal Party in Delta South, but insisted it isn't because she's having second thoughts about the party.

"I'm not saying no, I'm not saying yes," she said. "I'm looking at some other opportunities in the private sector as well."

Guichon said she wanted to make clear she isn't getting "cold feet" with the Liberals, as was suggested in an editorial written by the Leader Sept. 7.

Guichon added that the Liberals have been successful in creating jobs and managing the economy during their three terms in government.

"I truthfully wouldn't want to see our province go back to where we were 11 years ago to become a have-not province," she said.

But BC NDP candidate for Delta South, Nic Slater, says his party is ready to govern.

"We all know there's change in the air," he said. "People are looking for something different and we're hoping we can offer that along the lines of what the NDP has always offered."

Slater said the NDP have managed to bring about positive change throughout Canada, by pushing for things such as universal medicare and old age pensions.

"Our values aren't going to change because there's an election. Our values have always been the same for over 80 years," he said.