With speculation swirling around a possible federal election in the fall, Cowichan Conservatives are swinging into action.

North Cowichan Councillor John Koury announced his intention to seek the Conservative candidacy for Nanaimo-North Cowichan last week, as reported in the Saturday News Leader Pictorial.

He’s joined by Duncan chiropractor Martin Barker, who announced his aim at the same time.

“I have an interest in politics, and a desire to serve with a voice that will be heard in government,” said Barker on the phone Monday.

Barker also tried his hand at municipal politics last autumn when he ran for Duncan council. He was narrowly defeated with 439 votes — 13 more ballots in his favour would have earned him a seat at city hall.

“I’ve also been involved with the Conservative Party for several years, as a member and by helping out during elections,” Barker added of his political experience.

He predicts a federal election will be called in 2010.

“It’s hard to say, but with a minority (Conservative) government both the Liberal Party and the NDP have said they’ll pull the government down in September,” said Barker. “I think realistically there will be an election next year. The Canadian population is sick and tired of the minority government politics, the bad politics. We’ve had three elections in five years and I don’t think the public is ready for another election.”

Conservative candidate and former MP Reed Elley ran during the 2008 federal election but was defeated by NDP incumbent Jean Crowder.

Although he remains president of the Conservative Party of Canada’s Nanaimo-Cowichan organization, Elley confirmed he will not run again but will remain an active member of the party.

The new Conservative candidate, meanwhile, will be selected during a meeting Aug. 29 at Ladysmith’s Aggie Hall.

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