It was formed by a group of British Columbia Conservative Party dissidents known as the "Committee of 100", led and funded by the wealthy General Alexander McRae and political elements from the United Farmers of British Columbia.
Sir Charles Hibbert Tupper, another Conservative dissident at the time, was involved to oppose the wild-cat schemes of McBride and Bowser and the unscrupulous government of Oliver.
[1] The party platform sought freight rate equalization, cooperation with the federal government in the development of a northern railway, the elimination of Oriental labour, abolition of patronage, hiring of veterans, the elimination of income tax which had been introduced as a temporary measure during the war.
Many of his allegations were related to the funding of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway plan to reach Prince George in the Northern interior of the province, which was not achieved until many years later.
McRae reconciled with his former Conservative allies after the election and went on to federal politics.