An incumbent BC United legislative member has reversed her decision not to seek re-election and has announced she害羞草研究所檒l run as an Independent in the riding of West Vancouver-Capilano in the upcoming provincial election.

Karin Kirkpatrick has been a vocal critic of BC United Leader Kevin Falcon害羞草研究所檚 decision last month to suspend the party害羞草研究所檚 campaign and throw support behind the B.C. Conservatives under John Rustad.

Kirkpatrick announced her retirement this year, but now says in a statement that her decision to re-enter the race comes as a direct result of Falcon害羞草研究所檚 actions, which would force middle-of-the-road voters to 害羞草研究所渟wing to the left害羞草研究所� in lieu of a centrist party.

She says members of her community told her they 害羞草研究所渄on害羞草研究所檛 want to vote for an NDP government but felt deeply uncomfortable害羞草研究所� supporting the provincial Conservatives, citing Rustad害羞草研究所檚 tolerance of what she calls 害羞草研究所渆xtreme views and conspiracy theorists.害羞草研究所�

West Vancouver-Capilano has been a stronghold for the BC Liberals 害羞草研究所� the former BC United 害羞草研究所� since its formation in 1991 and was previously held by longtime MLA Ralph Sultan for almost two decades.

Kirkpatrick joins four other incumbent Opposition MLAs running as Independents, including Peace River South害羞草研究所檚 Mike Bernier, Peace River North害羞草研究所檚 Dan Davies, Prince George-Cariboo害羞草研究所檚 Coralee Oakes and Tom Shypitka in Kootenay-Rockies.