An incumbent BC United legislative member has reversed her decision not to seek re-election and has announced she鈥檒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鈥檚 decision last month to suspend the party鈥檚 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鈥檚 actions, which would force middle-of-the-road voters to 鈥渟wing to the left鈥� in lieu of a centrist party.

She says members of her community told her they 鈥渄on鈥檛 want to vote for an NDP government but felt deeply uncomfortable鈥� supporting the provincial Conservatives, citing Rustad鈥檚 tolerance of what she calls 鈥渆xtreme views and conspiracy theorists.鈥�

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