A new poll from Angus Reid Institute shows that the B.C. Conservatives have opened the election period with an 8-point lead over the B.C. NDP.

The data suggests that David Eby may have his party supporters questioning the logic behind calling a snap election.

It is also too early to determine if this initial lead will continue over the next month until election day, Oct. 24.

According to the data from Angus Reid Institute, the Conservatives, who are now under their third leader in under a year, have the support of 43 per cent of B.C. voters, compared to 35 per cent for the NDP.

Data says that as recently as 10 days ago, the NDP had a four-point lead over the Conservatives.

The research institute states that the early election call may be the reason for support for Eby’s NDP dwindling. Two-thirds of those surveyed said it was “too soon” to go to the polls. Seventy-one per cent of conservative voters and 52 per cent of NDP voters felt this way. 

About 65 per cent of respondents think that Eby is putting his own interests ahead of the province in the decision to call a snap election. 

The data shows the NDP needs to reaffirm their voting base, the report reads. Sixty-five per cent of those who voted for the NDP in 2024 would do the same again, while 85 per cent of past conservative voters are still on board with their party.

Angus Reid does state that it is very early in the race and one-in-five of voters say they are undecided on who they will vote for and only 35 per cent say they are locked into their vote already.