When Iain Black was first elected to the legislature in 2005, British Columbia’s fractured centre-right had just stitched itself together under Gordon Campbell, setting off a 17-year political dynasty.

It’s a moment of historical importance, but not one Black believes B.C. is currently re-living. Times have changed since his first run through the provincial arena.

“This is not a 2001 do-over,” Black said in an interview Thursday, after launching his campaign for Conservative leader last week.

“Are there elements of that? Absolutely. … But it’s that, and then something else. And that is really important to understand.”

What’s new since Black’s tour through B.C. politics in the late 2000s is the rise of what he calls “cultural conservatives,” largely younger voters who feel the economic ladder has been pulled up behind them, and who see social policy as actively working against them.

“This is a group of people being asked to expect less and accept less,” said Black.

It’s a group that doesn’t see a greater common good in safe supply and decriminalization policies when it means less safe neighbourhoods and parks, he said.

“You’ve got that same group of people,........

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