BC

Conservative byelection candidate John Martin has jumped ship to the provincial Liberal party, saying it's the only free enterprise party able to beat the NDP in the next election.

Martin's announcement comes just a day before a vote over leadership of the BC Conservative party.

Delegates will decide tomorrow on a review of John Cummins' leadership and if the vote is approved, Cummins will have to step down immediately while a new leader is chosen.

As the Conservative candidate in April's byelection in Chilliwack-Hope, Martin came in third behind the NDP and Liberals.

Martin says he doesn't want to wait until New Democrat Leader Adrian Dix is elected premier to unite the free-enterprise vote and he urged others to get behind the BC Liberal party.

Martin, who will be seeking the Liberal nomination in the riding of Chilliwack, has the backing of the riding's current MLA, John Les, who says he's pleased Martin has joined the Liberal team.