British Columbia Conservative Party

The British Columbia Conservative Party (also known as "the Tories") is a conservative political party in British Columbia, Canada. Its current leader is Wilf Hanni.

Founding of the BC Conservative Party

The BC Conservative Party was created by Sir Richard McBride in 1903. McBride believed that the system of non-partisan government that the province had been using was unstable and inhibiting development. When the lieutenant-governor of the province dissolved the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and called an election, McBride announced that he would form a party to contest the election. His Conservatives won British Columbia's first election fought on the party system on 3 October, 1903 with a two seat majority. McBride became Premier of the province. The Tories implemented a policy along the lines of those of the national Conservative Party, which at the time favoured government intervention to help develop industry and infrastructure.

Related Topics:
Richard McBride - Non-partisan government - Lieutenant-governor - Legislative Assembly of British Columbia - Party - First election - 3 October - 1903 - Majority - Premier - Conservative Party

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The Conservatives under McBride, and his successor William John Bowser, held power for thirteen years until they were defeated by the Liberals in the 1916 election.

Related Topics:
William John Bowser - Liberals - 1916 election

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The Tories returned to power in the 1928 election under Simon Fraser Tolmie, the last time the Conservatives would form a majority government in the province. The Tolmie government was unable to deal with the Great Depression, and was racked by infighting and indecision. The party was in such disarray that, despite being in power, the Conservative provincial association decided not to run any candidates in the 1933 election.

Related Topics:
1928 election - Simon Fraser Tolmie - Great Depression - 1933 election

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In the election of 1941, the Conservatives managed to win 12 seats, compared to 21 for the Liberals and 14 for the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (which became the New Democratic Party in 1961). The Liberals and Conservatives formed a coalition government. The business community feared the growing strength of the social democratic CCF, and supporters of both the Liberals and the Tories argued that a united free market party was needed to keep the CCF from taking power.

Related Topics:
Election of 1941 - Cooperative Commonwealth Federation - New Democratic Party - Coalition government - Social democratic - Free market

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