Independent Abbotsford-South Langley candidate Mike de Jong says he supports the formation of a Conservative government, despite the party snubbing him prior to the riding香蕉视频直播檚 nomination vote.

De Jong and his campaign manager, Marty Snider, have posted on social media about de Jong香蕉视频直播檚 stance.

香蕉视频直播淲hile I香蕉视频直播檓 running as an Independent, I remain committed to the conservative principles that have guided my entire political career,香蕉视频直播� de Jong wrote.

香蕉视频直播淚f elected, I香蕉视频直播檒l work with Conservative MPs on responsible government and fiscal discipline, while prioritizing my community香蕉视频直播檚 needs above party lines.香蕉视频直播�

Snider responded online after a resident asked how, if de Jong is elected and takes away a Conservative seat, that will help get rid of the Liberals.

香蕉视频直播淢ike supports the formation of a Conservative government. This means should the conservatives need a seat to enable them to form government, they can count on him to support them,香蕉视频直播� Snider wrote.

De Jong, who served as the Abbotsford West MLA under BC United (formerly the Liberals) for 30 years, announced in April 2024 that he would seek the federal Conservative nomination for Abbotsford-South Langley.

At the time, he said Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre is the only leader 香蕉视频直播渨ho has the courage to discuss Canada香蕉视频直播檚 need for fiscal responsibility.香蕉视频直播�

But after almost a year of campaigning, de Jong was told on March 5 that the national headquarters had rejected his application to seek the nomination, despite having unanimous approval at the local level.

He has said he was given no reason for the rejection, and he lost an appeal of the decision.

Meanwhile, another Conservative candidate, Sukhman Gill, was rejected at the local level, but was accepted by the national office.

Gill, who works for his family香蕉视频直播檚 blueberry farm, won the nomination vote for the riding on March 8 against four other candidates.

De Jong announced on March 26 that he would run as an independent, and has since been endorsed by outgoing Conservative MP Ed Fast, former mayor Henry Braun, and other current and former politicians.

Gill has been criticized by de Jong and others 香蕉视频直播� including through a public petition 香蕉视频直播� for declining media interviews, not attending candidate debates and removing his social media accounts.

He has informed the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce that he will not be attending an all-candidates forum Wednesday night (April 23), which runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Legacy Sports Centre.

Polls in B.C. are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, April 28.