What type of ‘democratic socialist party’ is the BC NDP? We’re not hearing the answer to that question from leader Adrian Dix. Should we wonder why?

News stories a week ago, including this excerpt from Global News BC (British Columbians think BC NDP best able to manage economy) said that:

… for the first time, British Columbians think BC NDP leader Adrian Dix is the best person to handle the provincial economy.

The Angus Reid poll, released today, shows that the public also thinks that Dix is the best person to handle health care, education and crime issues.

Dix says the BC Liberals have a very poor record on economic growth. He says the government has failed to address a large skill shortage in the economy …

Other than hard core NDP members and supporters, do those considering voting NDP in the next general election have any idea what they stand for?

Here is the preamble to the Constitution of the BC NDP Party:

The New Democratic Party believes that social, economic and political progress in Canada can only be assured by the application of democratic socialist principles to government and the administration of public affairs.

The principles of democratic socialism can be defined briefly as follows:

-          the production and distribution of goods and services shall be directed to meeting the social and individual needs of people and not for profit

-          the modification and control of the operations of monopolistic productive and distributive organizations through economic and social planning, towards these ends

-          and where necessary, the extension of the principle of social ownership.

The New Democratic Party holds firm to the belief that the dignity, freedom and equality of the individual is a basic right that must be maintained and extended.

The New Democratic Party is proud to be associated with the democratic socialist parties of the world and to share in the struggle for peace, international co-operation and the abolition of poverty.

Furthermore, Section 16.01 (page 15) states that:
Each member of the Party, including candidates for, and holders of, public office has covenanted that; “I accept and will abide by the Constitution, principles and policies of the New Democratic Party.”  Breach of this covenant is a violation of the Constitution.

So if I read this correctly, the NDP believes that economic progress can only be assured by the application of democratic socialist principles … that they believe in the modification and control of business … and that it is acceptable for them to take over private business (ie: social ownership).

So what exactly does it mean to be a Democratic Socialist Party?  Wikipedia has a definition that should be of concern.  They say:

The term is sometimes used synonymously with "social democracy … many self-identified democratic socialists oppose contemporary social democracy because social democracy retains the capitalist mode of production.

So … what type of ‘democratic socialist party’ is the BC NDP?  We’re not hearing the answer to that question from leader Adrian Dix.  Should we wonder why?

Add that to Section 16.01 which clearly indicates that to be a member of the NDP you must “accept and  abide by the Constitution, principles and policies of the New Democratic Party” … and that breach of this covenant is a violation of the Constitution … and what we end up with is a recipe for disaster in BC if they become the next government in our province.

And just to be clear … there is no wishy-washy vague definition to the word “Covenant”.  Its meaning is:
… a usually formal, solemn, and binding agreement: compact

… a written agreement or promise usually under seal between two or more parties especially for the performance of some action

Those people who drift from party to party, between elections, need to know just what their support for the NDP will bring about.  It will mean more regulations, more bureaucracy, and more intrusion into the running of private enterprise.  

Those three things will mean job losses, and even higher unemployment.

The BC Liberal Party has shown over the past two years they no longer deserve our support --- BUT the NDP are not the alternative.

The alternative clearly is, and should be, the BC Conservative Party, as shown in just these few examples of the Principles they hold:

… a belief in clearly defined public policies and programs that are affordable and effective and for which delivery is accountable to all the people of British Columbia

… a belief in managing the government to the highest standards of integrity and transparency and British Columbians are entitled to full knowledge of services rendered and their costs

… a belief in the rights and responsibilities of all British Columbians and that Governments at all levels are responsible to serve and respect all individuals and their families, including freedom from unnecessary laws and regulations and excessive government

… and a belief that Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA’s) are primarily responsible to represent the interests of their Constituents

John Cummins and the BC Conservatives are clear in how they will govern.  So too are the NDP, and by example we have seen how the BC Liberals govern. 

Premier Christy Clark has stated the only two options we should have are the Liberals, or the NDP.  Are either of those two choices acceptable to you?

I’m Alan Forseth in Kamloops, with the thoughts of one conservative.