Liberal Math … Version 2.0

Some time back I had the original Liberal Math story --- so this has to become Version 2.0.  What’s with the math I know you are saying … BORING … but stick with me for a moment while we take a look at how the BC Liberal leadership race played out.

First of all when they started the leadership race, the BC Liberals said they had a membership of 35,000 – during the race they added 50,000.

85,000   Number BC Liberal members

-6,000   Cats, dogs, hockey player memberships canceled by Liberal executive

79,000   NEW total number of BC Liberal members

48,980   62% of Liberal members announced as having voted

30,020   Number of “Instant” BC Liberal members not bothering to vote

Thirty thousand and twenty members of the BC Liberal party DID NOT vote -- why is that?

One would expect that culmination of the BC Liberal leadership race – a race to determine who was to become the provinces next premier – would see a nearly 100% voter turn-out.  Instead, without even having to leave the comfort of their own home to cast their ballot, over 30 thousand BC Liberal members chose not to vote.

BC Liberal Party leader Mickey Patryluk put on a brave face trotting out the dismal voting results of past recent provincial elections with 50 and 58% voter turnout; however again the Liberal leadership race was to elect the new premier of the province.

And so who did the BC Liberal Party elect --- well we all know that it was not their first choice – or their second choice.  Christy Clark started out with 1/3^rd of the vote on the first ballot, didn't win on the second ballot, and so we finally ended up with the Liberals third choice to lead the party – Christy Clark.

Perhaps that is the reason why there seemed to be a cool chill that came over their convention floor when Christy Clark was declared the winner over Kevin Falcon in the third round ballot.  Instead of loud, happy, enthusiastic cheering BC Liberal party members delighted with the win of Christy Clark … there was muted applause.

And when Christy Clark spoke – that’s when the tale was told.  Think about anyone you have ever heard that is polished in public speaking; they know where to put in the pauses for effect, and to elicit and allow for the applause and response of the audience. 

Saturday night during Christy Clark’s acceptance speech she had the well rehearsed pauses planned; however there was little or no audience response.  In fact the loudest response came when she mentioned the name of Kevin Falcon, the man whose name was on the third and final ballot with her.

So where does this leave the BC Liberals?  I believe it leaves them in a very dangerous place as again small ‘c’ conservatives are going to be deciding whether to stay or to go.  But many have already begun the migration, and are moving to the BC Conservative Party. 

The tale of 30 thousand members not voting was the first telling sign, and there will be more to follow.

I’m Alan Forseth in Kamloops, and those are the thoughts of one conservative.