Liberal Leadership Debates, and soon the NDP

What if one of the provinces largest political parties held leadership debates and the majority of British Columbian's said, “Who Cares”? 

So far there have been three opportunities for Liberal leadership candidates to have a ‘real’ debate (Vancouver, Kamloops, Prince George), and to show us why they should replace Gordon Campbell as leader of the BC Liberal Party, and by extension premier of the province.  The result unfortunately has indeed been a chorus of “who cares”.  

With the top political job on the line, one would think British Columbian's would be far more interested in these debates; however they have become largely non-events.  Non-events because none of the candidates has presented any ideas to electrify us – it’s been one boring pillow fight actually. 

It’s not just the candidates who are to blame though as the Liberal party has ensured that any real discussion of ideas is stifled, so as to avoid controversy.  That leaves voters desperately looking for a leader that will step forward with ideas to show they are actually committed to representing us -- and being accountable to us.

Here’s just a sampling of what is being said so far about the leadership race – and the debates.

Winnipeg Free Press:

Gary Mason, celebrated Left Coast columnist for the Globe and Mail, did perhaps the best job describing the maddening blandness of the Grit leadership debates: "opening statements followed by insipid, non-controversial questions which the candidates have little time to respond to." Be still, my beating heart.

Why have the Grit debates fallen short? Like virtually all debates at every level of politics, the BC Liberals deliberately created a risk-averse environment for the leadership candidates.

Questions, and sometimes answers, are discussed in advance. Participants are given a chance to veto topics. Formats are structured to avoid confrontation, which is to say that many debates are not debates at all. They are lectures where the candidates read prepared answers, but don't actually interact.

Globe and Mail:
Kevin Falcon is calling for more exciting debates among contenders to become BC's next Liberal premier.

That means no advanced word of questions and more opportunities for the six candidates to go at each other, the former health minister said in a statement Saturday.  “I want to see how each of us handles the odd curve ball,” he said.

The Province:

Mike De Jong said a more “free-flowing” discussion has merit. He’s also asked the party leadership to allow the candidates to address the crowd during the Feb. 12 debate.

Kamloops Daily News:
Debate? There was precious little of it Wednesday as Liberal leadership hopefuls met, hoping to convince about 400 party members who is best for the job as BC's next premier.

(Straight.com)

Last night, BC Liberal candidates gathered at a downtown Vancouver hotel to give short speeches, chat with potential supporters, and not hold any real policy debates … If the BC NDP follows the BC Liberal model and avoids holding candidate debates in a public venue, it will diminish interest in the political process in BC.

That could lead to even lower voter turnout in the future.

CTV:

… but there were few other disagreements, and no debate between the panel members

Kamloops This Week:

As the six B.C. Liberal leadership hopefuls did their best in Kamloops this week to court party voters at a candidate’s forum, there appeared to be no clear winner.  “Someone still hasn’t come through and said ‘I’m the leader.’ I still haven’t seen it”

Meantime, the BC liberal Party leadership candidates will be participating in one more debate this Saturday (Feb 12^th) in Vancouver.  Again the format will include questions prepared in advance for candidates so that they can be ready with the right answer party brass will want to hear.  And to be sure there are no fireworks, the event will again be closed to members of the public.

That same day, the BC Liberal Party will finally decide how leadership votes are to be cast. As their party website states, “Delegates will determine the voting process for the Leadership Vote. They will vote on a constitutional amendment set to modernize the party's constitution for leadership selection, moving to a preferential ballot and giving every region of the province an equal say in selecting our next leader.”

Meantime cut-off to join the party, and be eligible to vote in their leadership race, closed last week.  BUT some of those newly minted members may have signed up in vain if indeed the party does go to a weighted vote with each constituency having an equal number of votes no matter how many members have been signed up.

Then, two weeks later on February 26^th, the exciting (?) finish to the campaign to replace Gordon Campbell will take place.

And don’t forget the BC NDP – and their leadership race to replace Carole James – although one would be hard pressed to see, read, or hear any evidence of it.  They too will be holding several debates between candidates, before they hold a leadership vote on April 17th.  The debates will take place in Kamloops, Kelowna, Nelson, Prince George, Qualicum, Terrace, Vancouver and Victoria between John Horgan, Mike Farnworth, Adrian Dix, Harry Lali, Nicholas Simons, and Dana Larsen.

Are you excited by the prospects and choices we have to lead the BC Liberal Party --- and who will become the next premier of the province?  I’m not, which is why last week I said, “What the province needs now is a party who is serious about open accountable government … a party that is committed to restoring honor and prestige to both politics and the Government.”

I’m Alan Forseth in Kamloops … and those are the thought of one conservative.