Full Breakdown
BC Conservative Support Falls to 35% in New Ipsos Poll
By Drooid · · How we work
Background: Leadership Change and Party Turmoil
Kerry-Lynne Findlay was elected leader of the BC Conservative Party after a closely contested race to replace John Rustad. Within roughly 100 days of her election, the party has been rocked by a series of scandals that prompted nine Conservative MLAs to quit. Seven of those defectors have joined an as-yet-unnamed party led by Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar, which plans to sit as a caucus when the legislature reconvenes. Findlay is also contesting a by-election in Abbotsford-Mission that insiders describe as a referendum on the party’s direction.
Poll Findings and Voter Impressions
An Ipsos poll of 800 adult British Columbians conducted between early and mid-September shows the BC NDP at 45 percent support, a 10-point lead over the BC Conservatives at 35 percent. The Conservatives’ support has dropped eight points since the 2024 provincial election. The NDP’s share remained steady, while the BC Greens rose to 10 percent (up two points) and two new parties—CentreBC (4 percent) and OneBC (2 percent)—entered the field.
Unfavourable impressions of Findlay stand at 46 percent, with a further 35 percent rating her “very unfavourable.” Only 17 percent hold a favourable view. By contrast, Premier David Eby registers a 41 percent favourable impression and an 18 percent unfavourable rating. Ipsos notes that negative impressions of Findlay are strongest among men, Interior/North residents, and younger voters, though support for the Conservatives remains relatively solid in those segments.
Official Reactions
Ipsos senior vice-president of public affairs Kyle Braid highlighted the rapid decline, noting that such negative numbers for a new leader are unprecedented. The Premier himself has not confirmed any election plans but emphasized the need for stability.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We have certainly seen political figures with very poor impression numbers in the past,” — Kyle Braid, senior vice president of public affairs for Ipsos
- “They thought they were going to get on track to be the heir apparent in the next election. They’ve gone the other way, they’ve gone in the wrong direction, and David Eby is probably licking his chops right now saying, maybe I can win this after all,” — Mike McDonald, former chief of staff to Christy Clark