Skip to main content

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

THE SIDEWINDER – What is a Conservative"

I have always considered myself a conservative person -- both socially and politically -- but this is by my own definition which will almost certainly clash with other people's views of conservatism.


In general terms, being politically conservative means exercising caution when considering change, following traditional ways, and having a practical and ethical social conscience. Being socially conservative means following much the same philosophy in terms of environment and lifestyle.


In my view, a conservative approach to social issues must be inclusive and reflect a strong social conscience.

 

“In my opinion, a truly conservative approach to change simply
means making sure the change is going to enhance life in our
democracy for everyone and is not based on purely partisan views”


It has always annoyed me that the NDP and its predecessor, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), portray themselves as the only political party with social conscience, something that is remarkably inaccurate and misleading.


It is in the nature of being conservative that we must consider the well being of everyone living on this planet.


For most of my adult life I have been a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. At one time, I quit the party for several years because too many elected members forgot what being a conservative really means.


Since then, the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada has largely returned to its basic roots.


Now that I have stated my definition of what I consider being a conservative means, I will offer a few examples of those things, or people, that do not meet my personal definition of conservative standards ethically, socially or politically.


Peter MacKay and other opportunists jump right out and land right on top of my list of people who are definitely not conservative. He is one of those people currently vying for leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada.

MacKay’s brand of conservatism is not conservative. His attitude seems to be totally invested in eastern Canada, as shown by his negative response to an invitation to participate in the leadership debate which took place in Vancouver last night.


MacKay is a one of the Brian Mulroney old boys club; those conservatives whose backroom tactics played a significant role, over the years, in the decision of too many members to part company with the party.


In my opinion, a truly conservative approach to change simply means making sure the change is going to enhance life in our democracy for everyone and is not based on purely partisan views.


The good old boys’ school of backroom politics, favouritism and cronyism has plagued most major Canadian political parties nationally and provincially for decades.


Once again, this is something that is definitely not conservative, in nature, because it too frequently operates without conscience or respect. It is all about power and influence without consideration for those values which make Canada a beacon for freedom and democracy throughout the world.


With the exception of MacKay and a few others, long time Conservatives have returned to the values which made the party a formidable force for change in Canada.


Careful consideration by party members of the other candidates currently vying for leadership of the federal Conservatives could help restore voter faith in the party ... and help send Justin Trudeau packing.

 

SANDY Macdougall ... is a retired newspaper reporter. He was elected for three consecutive terms to Maple Ridge municipal council in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and also ran for the Progressive Conservatives in Kim Campbell's ill-fated federal election campaign. He now makes his home in the BC interior community of Kelowna.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Budget 2027: After a Decade of Decline, NDP Budget Delivers an Assault on Seniors, Working Families, and Small Businesses

Peter Milobar, BC Conservative Finance Critic, condemned the NDP government’s latest budget as the result of a decade of decline that has left British Columbians broke, unsafe, and paying more for less.   “After ten years of NDP mismanagement, this budget is an assault on seniors, working families, and the small businesses that drive our economy,” said Milobar. “The NDP have turned their back on the people working hardest to make ends meet and the seniors who built this province.” Milobar pointed to a new $1.1 billion annual income tax increase and warned that the government is piling new costs onto households already struggling with affordability.   “This government keeps asking British Columbians for more, while delivering less,” Milobar said. “The question people are asking is simple: Where has all the money gone?” Milobar noted that BC has gone from a surplus in the first year of NDP government to a projected deficit of more than $13 billion this year, while prov...
Post a Comment
Read more

FORSETH – My question is, ‘How do we decide who is blue enough to be called a Conservative?’

How do we decide who’s blue enough to be a Conservative? AS OF TODAY (Friday January 30 th ), there are now eight individuals who have put their names forward to lead the Conservative Party of British Columbia. Having been involved with BC’s Conservatives since 2010, and having seen MANY ups and downs, having 8 people say “I want to lead the party” is to me, an incredible turn-around from the past. Sadly, however, it seems that our party cannot seem to shake what I, and others, call a purity test of ‘what is a Conservative’. And that seems to have already come to the forefront of the campaign by a couple of candidates. Let me just say as a Conservative Party of BC member, and as someone active in the party, that frustrates me to no end. Conservatives, more than any other political philosophy or belief, at least to me, seems to have the widest and broadest spectrum of ideals.   For the most part, they are anchored by these central thoughts --- smaller and less intru...
1 comment
Read more

BC cannot regulate, redesign, and reinterpret its way to a stable forestry sector. Communities need clear rules, predictable timelines, and accountability for results.

Photo credit:  Atli Resources LP   BC’s Forestry Crisis Continues with Closure of Beaver Cove Chip Facility   As industry leaders, Indigenous partners, and contractors gather this week at the BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George, the gap between government rhetoric and reality could not be clearer. Just hours after the Eby government once again touted reconciliation, certainty, and economic opportunity under DRIPA, Atli Chip Ltd, a company wholly owned by the ’Na̱mg̱is First Nation, announced it is managing the orderly closure of its Beaver Cove chip facility. The closure comes despite public tax dollars, repeated government announcements, and assurances that new policy frameworks would stabilize forestry employment and create long-term opportunity in rural and coastal British Columbia. “British Columbians are being told one story, while communities are living another,” said Ward Stamer, Critic for Forests. “This closure makes it clear that announcement...
Post a Comment
Read more

Labels

Show more