Thoughts on BC Politics and More

Two former members of Alberta's governing United Conservative Party are resuscitating the province's once-dominant Progressive Conservative Party. Former infrastructure minister Peter Guthrie and legislature member Scott Sinclair were booted from caucus earlier this year for pushing back against the Premier Danielle Smith's government and now sit as Independents. Sinclair says the province's two-party system has become too divisive, and they want to galvanize support from Albertans who feel they don't have a political home ... CLICK HERE for the full story 

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 Federatio n ( CCF), portray themselves as the only political party with social conscience, someth...

Wildrose Leader Brian Jean and Progressive Conservative leader   Jason Kenney May 18th announcing tentative deal to unite parties Next door in Alberta over the weekend, members of the Progressive Conservative Party -- and the Wildrose Party -- both agreed to a merger. And how was that hailed by the mainstream media, including CTV?   Their focus was on the paltry number (5%) of Progressive Conservatives who were 'lamenting the death of Alberta's historic PC party' . The former President of the party, Katherine O'Neill   spoke of a lot of grieving going on ... and that a lot of people were heartbroken .   It should however be noted that O'Neill left the party, after Jason Kenney's victory as party leader.   From what I have read, I take that to mean that she was far more progressive (left-leaning?) than she was conservative.   And therein, lies the rub, as it were, with attaching the word progressive , to the word conservative ...