The first major gathering of the six candidates vying to be British Columbia's next Liberal premier saw rock-solid agreement on one key issue, namely uniting the centre-right to defeat the NDP in the 2013 provincial election whatever the outcome of the contest.
The point was a key theme around which the candidates rallied as they dealt with economic policy during a forum organized by the BC Chamber of Commerce that drew about 325 people to a ballroom at Vancouver's new convention centre.
George Abbott, who stepped down as education minister to seek the leadership, said the biggest issue right now is the 2013 vote, warning that all present have seen what happens in B.C. politics when the "coalition of the reasonable" breaks down in B.C. politics, meaning a split in the centre right vote.
"We know how the movie ends. It is a horror movie," Mr. Abbott said, referring to an NDP win. He warned of the rise of the BC Conservatives with a strong leader, who might take 10 to 20 per cent of the vote.
"We have to keep the coalition together," he said.
His observations were the only moment in more than two hours of discussion that galvanized the audience, earning sustained applause.
Christy Clark, the former deputy premier returning to provincial politics in a bid to win the leadership, said after BC Liberals choose a successor to Premier Gordon Campbell on Feb. 26, it will be crucial for them to leave their federal party memberships at the door and rally for the bid for a fourth Liberal term. Ms. Clark has said that if she wins, she would hold an election earlier than 2013 to earn her own mandate.
Observers have said Ms. Clark's association with the federal Liberals might make it tough for her to draw support from federal Conservative members of the coalition that constitutes the BC Liberals. However, some have said Kevin Falcon might face a similar challenge given his association with the federal Conservatives.
Beyond the issue, the forum was largely a polite affair that played like a series of parallel speeches with the candidates responding to questions posed by a moderator and speaking to issues ranging from the fate of the harmonized sales tax to tourism, energy and transportation policy.
All agreed, for example, that the looming referendum on the HST was winnable though the policy had been poorly introduced.
Mr. Abbott dryly observed there was a risk of a debate breaking out when he used his closing statement to cite his disagreements with Ms. Clark over her proposal to hold a free vote on the HST in the legislature as a means of resolving the issue.
The other candidates standing in the leadership contest - Mike De Jong, Moira Stilwell and Ed Mayne - were also present.
Globe columnist Gary Mason live tweeted this event Tuesday morning. To read his updates go to Twitter Vancouver@garymasonglobe