A political party staking the middle ground on the political spectrum in British Columbia has held its first policy convention.

Democratic Reform BC, a coalition of small parties, intends to run a full slate of candidates in the May 17 provincial election.

MLA Elayne Brenzinger, who attended Saturday's convention, says the new party will offer an alternative to left- and right-leaning parties.

"Everyone is working toward having a fiscally responsible socially progressive moderate party," she said.

Brenzinger was elected as a Liberal in 2001 in the riding of Surrey-Whalley. She resigned from the Liberal caucus in March of 2004 after feuding with Premier Gordon Campbell.

She says she has been connected to the new party for several months, working behind the scenes to investigate whether this new party is right for her constituents.

Brenzinger says she will make a formal announcement this week on her continued involvement with the new party.

Interim leader Tom Morino says the coalition was brought together because "there's a great deal of frustration felt by many British Columbians" who vote against a government and vote out of fear.

"There is a vacuum that needs to be filled, and we're it," he said.