Thoughts on BC Politics and More

I met Martyn Brown shortly after the dying days of British Columbia’s Social Credit Party, following the 1991 provincial election. He was working with Jack Weisgerber, and a handful (seven) of the remaining Socreds, which were all that was left of a former political dynasty that had lasted several decades. Mr. Jack Weisgerber former MLA for Peace River South It was not long after that election that Jack Weisgerber, Richard Neufeld, and two other Socreds jumped ship to join a party many had never heard of – the BC Reform Party (which in fact predated the federal Reform Party). I actually called Jack Weisgerber’s legislative office to speak with him, and was told he was in the legislature but would call me back.   “Yah sure”, I said to myself, but low and behold he did call me back, that evening, and we spoke for roughly two hours. I was impressed by what he was attempting to do --– build something that British Columbians coul...

Currently the next Provincial Election in British Columbia, in May of next year, for the moment appears to be between the BC NDP and the BC Liberals.  Two recent polls had the numbers flipped between each of those parties leading, and both had the BC Conservative Party, and the BC Greens just over double digits. In it's most simplistic terms, the NDP led by John Horgan are being portrayed as the party of "NO" and being closely affiliated with big labour unions.  Meanwhile the BC Liberals led by Christy Clark promote they are the big tent free-enterprise party.  The Green Party, again using the most simplistic description, could be said to speak for the environment. So where does that leave the BC Conservative Party? I described the NDP, Liberals, and Green Parties as championing one specific area, however is there not a way for another party, say the BC Conservatives, to bridge all three? I remember very well the beginnings of the ...

What’s next BC??? Regrettably, as in the past, it appears that we will at least for the foreseeable future, continue to have only two political choices, seeking the votes of British Columbians … the BC Liberals, and the “SpeNDP”.  That is unless something changes, and changes soon. Polarized politics in my opinion, whether on the Provincial or Federal level, always leads to dissatisfaction with voters.  We are a free thinking society, where a multitude of opinions, choices, ideas, and solutions can spring from.  With that in mind, how can all of that be funneled into just two choices, on the political front? British Columbian’s have continually faced the same situation (two choices) since the demise of the Socreds in the early 90’s … and the failure of the BC Reform Party to gain traction in the 1996 provincial election.  The demise of the Socreds and Reform, in my opinion, came about because of a lack of relevance to voters, and self-infli...

I've had an interesting friendship over the past 20 years with former Liberal MLA, and Cabinet Minister, Kevin Krueger.  It goes back to 1995 when both of us were preparing, and being nominated, to run in the Kamloops North Thompson riding, in the 1996 Provincial election.  Kevin for the BC Liberal Party, and me for the Reform Party of British Columbia.  Kevin won  :) I like to believe that despite political differences any of us have with others, there is generally more that unites us, rather than separates us. That has held true with my relationship with Kevin.  Despite that, we have had some major disagreement where we did not have common ground; on those we have strongly debated back and forth our own positions.  Still, friendship prevailed. Regarding common ground, something I saw posted by a former political ally in the BC Conservative Party (Ben Besler now a BC Liberal), caught my eye the other day.  It was a quote from Kevin Kr...

Today I am reminded of the old saying, " The more things change, the more they stay the same. "  Never was that more true than when it comes to politics. This morning I tuned into an exchange with Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver, and political commentator Bill Tielman, on CBC radio in Victoria. The conversation revolved around Bill 20, which will allow any political party, or independent candidate, to receive information on who has or hasn't voted in an election. Under existing ways of doing things, political parties identify their voters and remind them on voting day to get out and vote. Political parties may also have scrutineers at every poll to note those they have identified as their supporters when they vote, which also allows them to also know those who have not yet voted. It has always been the responsibility of political parties to have people in place to be scrutineers. So h ere's the REAL reason for political parties to very quietly arrange ...