On Tuesday, my Conservative Thoughts blog ended with the following:
As many are aware, there have been a large number of very real issues that have come up regarding the BC Liberals over the past two years ... and the issue of accountability to voters has been one of the biggest. That's why a loss for Christy Clark would signal the very real end of the BC Liberal Party ... and guaranteed rise of the BC Conservatives under John Cummins.
The rise of the BC Conservative Party is going to be a reality regardless of a win or loss for Christy Clark – a loss however for her will bring it about much more quickly.
A few weeks back I conducted a very non-scientific poll on whether or not Christy Clark would win election tonight. The results showed that 56% believed she would not. We'll find out soon.
Tonight, Christy Clark became not only the Premier of British Columbia; she also became the elected representative for the people of Vancouver point Grey. I have made bold the word representative because of the importance I attach to this position.
Regardless of the fact that she is premier, she is the MLA in Vancouver Point Grey, and Christy Clark’s main responsibility is to represent the people of that riding in the legislature.
Regrettably both the leadership of the NDP and the BC Liberal Party have forgotten this is the job MLA’s actually have, which is one of the biggest reasons for the decline in the number of people voting, the decline in the respect people have for this important job, and the decline of people who really believe anything can be changed for their betterment.
Perhaps this is one of the reason why only 1/3rd of voters in Vancouver Point Grey actually exercised their freedom of expression and choice by casting a ballot – that turnout was pathetic, and a sad comment on our flawed system.
In commenting on Clarks win, BC Conservative John Cummins stated, "The Premier should have a seat in the legislature, which is why the BC Conservatives did not run a candidate in the riding. I look forward to squaring off with Ms. Clark in the next general election."
Tonight Christy Clark won election by a matter of around 400 votes --- out of 41 thousand people eligible to vote, that’s a pretty close margin.
The fact that Christy Clark won by that close a margin should not give anyone at Liberal party headquarters a huge boot of confidence in the possible results of the next provincial election … and a vote that close, to elect the premier of the province to the legislature, shows little real support for the BC Liberals.
A vote that close I think will also keep Christy Clark from calling a snap election, because nothing happened today to show voters would give her a mandate to govern – and that’s good.
In just two more weeks there is every indication that former Conservative MP John Cummins will be elected leader of the BC Conservative Party. It has been some time now since the party had a leader, and a person the stature of Cummins, shows they intend to be a contender in the next general election.
So last night round one went to Christy Clark; but this is a heavyweight fight, and so there are still another 14 rounds to go.
I’m Alan Forseth in Kamloops, and those are the thoughts of one conservative.
1 comment:
The Liberal Party almost followed suit to their Federal cousins, in the inability to elect their leader in their own riding. Christy Clark will no doubt be considered running as a star candidate in what is no doubt the safest Liberal seat in the province; yet, she was barely able to hold that seat. As no competitor wishes to barely sneak by and as the Liberals look to the future; under the mask of Liberal excitement must hide the face of doubt.
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