BC Conservatives ahead in Southern Interior: poll

The BC NDP and the BC Conservatives are statistically neck and neck in the polls with the current government ahead by two percentage points. According to a Sept 17 Research Co. poll, 44% of decided voters would support the BC NDP candidate in their riding, while 42% would vote for the BC Conservatives. The BC Greens come in third having the backing of 10% of voters. The poll found that 3% of decided voters would back independent candidates or other parties. In the Southern Interior, the BC Conservatives are ahead with 51% of voters saying they had their support. The BC Conservatives are also winning in the Fraser Valley with 57% support, and Northern BC with 42%. READ MORE: Former cabinet minister appeals to Elections B.C. to register New Liberal Party of BC https://infotel.ca/newsitem/elxn-bc-liberal/cp131333616 The NDP leads the race in Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island. "The disappearance of BC United has propelled the BC Conservatives to first place in Southern BC, where the race was exceptionally close in (a) July (poll)," Research Co. president Mario Canseco said in a media release. "Conversely, 16% of decided voters in Northern BC are willing to support other parties or independent candidates — the highest proportion across all five regions of British Columbia." The poll found that 60% of those who voted for the BC Liberals in 2020 will now vote Conservative, while 29% will vote for the NDP. BC Premier David Eby is a clear winner among female voters with 38% saying he would make the best premier, compared to BC Conservative leader John Rustad at 21%. READ MORE: Former Kelowna BC Conservative candidate allegedly told to falsify fundraising report https://infotel.ca/newsitem/former-kelowna-bc-conservative-candidate-allegedly-told-to-falsify-fundraising-report/it106528 Men see it differently and favour both party leaders equally with 34% saying Eby would be the best premier and 34% saying Rustad would be. Three in four voters who supported the New Democrats under John Horgan will stick with the party, while the Greens are only holding onto 43% of those who supported them in 2020 with 41% of previous Green voters turning to the Conservatives, and 14% moving to the NDP. When it comes to issues affecting British Columbia little has changed in the polls with housing, homelessness and poverty being on top of the list, followed by health care, the economy and jobs, crime and the environment. To contact a reporter for this story, email Ben Bulmer mailto:bbulmer@infonews.ca  or call (250) 309-5230 or email the editor mailto:news@infonews.ca . You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom mailto:tips@infonews.ca  and be entered to win a monthly prize draw. We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here https://infotel.ca/newsletter .