July 3, 2025, Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver mayor’s former chief of staff starts new political party
Excerpt from Vancouver Sun. Read the full article here:
Kareem Allam, a longtime political strategist who helped propel ABC Vancouver to power, is launching the city’s newest political party with a goal of unseating Ken Sim, the mayor he once served as chief of staff.
Allam — ABC’s former campaign manager and more recently, its most outspoken critic — has publicly mused in recent weeks of running for office and had set up committees made up of mostly former B.C. Liberals to gauge the level of support he’d have in a run.
On Thursday, the Vancouver Liberals was officially registered with Elections B.C.
It’s a party Allam hopes will attract “pragmatists” and people across the political spectrum unhappy with the direction the city is headed under ABC.
“I anticipate there would be pure centre, pure left and even centre right,” he said. “I’m just looking for the best and brightest in the city regardless of their political affiliation.”
The party also released its logo: A stylized V and L incorporate the silhouette of Anna’s hummingbird, the city’s official bird.
“We thought it was reflective of the city,” with the bird’s red, blue, and green colours representing the political spectrum, Allam said.
“We want to bring in the Greens, New Democrats and Conservatives,” he said. “We want all aspects to feel welcome.”
In addition to running for mayor, Allam said his party will run a full slate of council, park board, and school board candidates in the October 2026 municipal election.
