In the wake of Rachel Notley’s historic New Democractic Party win in Alberta, it seems British Columbia voters may be more willing to consider a sip of orange crush.
A poll released today by Insights West shows B.C. support for the federal conservatives slipping compared to the last time a federal election was held. If an election was held today, 35% of decided voters would vote NDP; 29% would vote Conservative; 25% would cast a ballot for the Liberal Party; while 10% would vote for the Green Party.
Compared to 2011, support is up for both the federal Liberals and the NDP. Support for the NDP is highest among women (40%) and voters aged 18 to 34 (42%). Male voters would be more likely to vote Conservative (34%) compared to the NDP (30%).
The theme of Conservatives versus NDP, with the Liberals coming in third, is consistent across the province and throughout age groups. Among voters in the 35-54 age group, 31% would vote NDP, 30% would vote Conservative and 28% would vote Liberal.
Voters 55 and over — a key demographic for the Conservatives — are split between the Conservatives (36%) and NDP (34%). Just 19% say they would vote Liberal.
Green Party support is highest on Vancouver Island at 20%; 47% of Vancouver Island residents say they would vote NDP, while 19% say they would vote for the Liberals.
The poll shows 58% of respondents disapprove of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s performance, while 35% approve. Nevertheless, 27% of respondents picked Harper when asked who would make the best Prime Minister of Canada, while 22% chose NDP leader Thomas Mulcair, 19% picked Liberal leader Justin Trudeau and 6% said Green Party leader Elizabeth May would make the best Prime Minister.
The Insights West poll was conducted May 7 to May 9 among 814 adult British Columbians. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
@jenstden
