An incumbent BC United legislative member has reversed her decision not to seek re-election and has announced she含羞草研究社檒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含羞草研究社檚 decision last month to suspend the party含羞草研究社檚 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含羞草研究社檚 actions, which would force middle-of-the-road voters to 含羞草研究社渟wing to the left含羞草研究社� in lieu of a centrist party.

She says members of her community told her they 含羞草研究社渄on含羞草研究社檛 want to vote for an NDP government but felt deeply uncomfortable含羞草研究社� supporting the provincial Conservatives, citing Rustad含羞草研究社檚 tolerance of what she calls 含羞草研究社渆xtreme views and conspiracy theorists.含羞草研究社�

West Vancouver-Capilano has been a stronghold for the BC Liberals 含羞草研究社� the former BC United 含羞草研究社� 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含羞草研究社檚 Mike Bernier, Peace River North含羞草研究社檚 Dan Davies, Prince George-Cariboo含羞草研究社檚 Coralee Oakes and Tom Shypitka in Kootenay-Rockies.