Some of you will know this message is being directed to you ...

Where does the BC Conservative Party go now that no seats were won in the general election, and leader John Cummins has stepped aside to allow the party to begin a search for a new leader? 

Those are good questions, and ones that all members should be giving serious consideration too.

Sadly I already know of some members who have already decided that there is no future for the party.  I RESPECTFULLY have to disagree! 

In fact, some of the people I know who have, or are considering this move, are the very people that this party DOES need to have as members.  Despite what some who are outside the party, including those in the media, have to say ... we are a party that is working towards creating the kind of common sense ideals that can appeal to most British Columbians.

Does BC still have a choice of the BC Conservative Party?

Already much has been done to lay the foundation for this -- however the work is not complete -- and an inclusive and open discussion must take place to make sure the party can, and will be, relevant. 

To tell you the truth, I was exhausted after the past couple of years, and especially after all of the work that went into our own local Kamloops South Thompson campaign.  I was ready for a long, and what I felt was well deserved, break.  I was wrong!

The real work really must begin, and all small 'c' conservatives need to be on board.

Let me repeat that ... ALL small 'c' conservative who believe in fiscal values of accountability ... who believe in being responsive to the people of BC ... and who has a social conscience that says we MUST offer a hand-up to those that need it ... need to be on board.

Many are tired of the work that has been put in ... but no real goal(s) can be realized without effort.

I never really was out of the saddle following the election, but I did take a bit of a respite.  For those who were in the same place as I was emotionally, or who have been considering they have no more to give, then I ask you to consider this. 

Look back at what it was you were trying to achieve and ask yourself ... "Are the goals you wished to reach any different than they were before?"

Some of you will know this message is being directed to you.  Regardless ... let me say that I respect whatever the choice is that some of you have made, or will make. 

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

You told us that today's' BC Liberal government is, "using resources wisely to give children the start they need in life"

Up to the election writ being dropped, the BC Liberal government found it necessary to spend millions of taxpayer dollars in what many called highly partisan advertising.  

Well the election campaign ended two and a half weeks ago, the Liberal were re-elected, and since then not ONE single ad has been run on the balanced budget ... the BC Jobs Plan ... or about the security of our economy due to careful government strategies and planning. 

Does that not clearly confirm these ads were not necessary, and were ONLY run for the benefit of the BC Liberal Party in the lead up to the election?

Again, the lack of integrity by the BC Liberal Party is there for all who wish to see it.

I mean no disrespect to the many hard working journalists out there, but why is it that no media news outlet is raising this issue? I would hate to think it comes down to a matter of dollars and cents, but then again the media owners were the direct recipients of this spending extravaganza, by the BC Liberal government, which wasted millions of dollars of resources entrusted to them by the people of BC. 

I had a Letter to the Editor published the other day in the Kamloops Daily News -- it included the following direct quote from a then opposition MLA by the name of Christy Clark:

“People don’t want the government to spend $700,000 of their money so they can find out how to access services; people want this government to spend their money so that those services are there for them to access."  

"That’s what British Columbians want,” Clark railed. “How many firefighters, how many police officers will not be on the street because [the Finance Minister] is spending on her advertising campaign?” 

So Christy ... how many firefighters -- how many police officers aren't on the street because YOU decided it was more important for your government to be re-elected.  

Better yet; how many nurses and other medical staff aren't available that could have helped reduced surgical wait times -- or shortened wait times in ER's?

It may seem mundane, as opposed to the wild flurry of an election campaign, however it is a VERY important step to be ready for 2017

Al Siebring, Chair of the BC Conservative Party Policy Committee, sent an email out the other day.  It began by saying;

 

"Now that the election is out of the way, it's time to move on with more mundane Party business.  We have our Party's AGM coming up in Vernon in September.  Per Article 10 of the Party Bylaws, we are giving each CA an opportunity to provide input and amendments to our Party “Policy Document” in advance of the AGM."

 

I for one found that refreshing, and encouraging -- it also fit with something I had posted on this web-blog as well.  On Monday, I asked the question "Can you please tell me the differences between the Conservatives and the Liberals?", which I was delighted to see generated some conversation and dialogue. 

 

Some of the comments coming back included one from Sean who mentioned:

"... I think the person requesting this info would have liked to see a specific breakdown of the actual differences ... the differences are quite stark when you compare policies versus rhetoric." 

 

Sean is likely right on the mark, that said, I still think everything flows however from the 2 direct points which I made in the original post.  The BC Liberals -- and the NDP for that matter -- can say anything they like, however no elected member of either party is really accountable to the electorate.  They are ONLY accountable to the political party which they represent.

 

For REAL change to actually happen, there is going to have to be an acceptance that at times MLA's will have to vote against party line.  If a way is made available for the to happen, in a way that can be respectful, then this becomes a win-win for everyone ... everyone that is but those manipulating from the backrooms. 

 

Here's another snapshot from a comment made by Bob:

 

" ... we need to aim for a turn as the Opposition in 2017 as a training ground in preparation for governing in 2021 ... we need to compete with the statist party in those areas where they are winning the ideological competition with many citizens if we are to replace them ... we will have to produce some innovative policies using very conservative principles on issues such as poverty, education and health in a way that outshines their central-planning approach ..." 

 

Well indeed the leap for us to go from nowhere as a party, to government, was a hard one for most to swallow -- BUT it has been done elsewhere.  That said, getting MLA's in the legislature is the start needed to season a number of quality government ministers to take reins of government.

 

I like Bob's suggestion of having "innovative policies using very conservative principles" to deal with serious issues. 

 

We were right, in my opinion, to say that getting BC economy running, at full steam, would go a long way towards coming up with solutions to many of the "issues of poverty, education and health".  That said people need, and want, to see the steps that BC Conservatives will take to find them (solutions).

 

I am convinced we have individuals from every background and experience needed to come up with the pieces to connect our broad stroke ideas, with issues and problems we face as a province.  Now leadership at all levels of the party need to be open to hear possible solutions (workable or not) that can lead to real and workable policy.

 

(STAY WITH ME ... I'm headed directly to policy considerations, for the BC Conservative Party, in just a moment)

There is, as I see it, only two directions we can go in this situation of ethics, accountability, and integrity.

Call me Don Quixote if you like, (others have),
but I am going to continue in my belief that
there is indeed positive change about to begin

I find it interesting to see the following from Nik Nanos (Few see positives in currentpolitical climate), after my comment, posted to Facebook yesterday, on the federal Conservative party:

There's a bit of a pox on all your houses, so to speak, from all the parties.  Canadians are seeing dysfunction in Parliament and in government from all parties when it comes to politicians focusing on positive solutions to problems affecting Canadians.

But these numbers are particularly troubling for the Conservatives. If you're the sitting government, you're looking at numbers like this and Canadians are saying, 'you know what — you're not doing much for me right now in terms with helping me in my day-to-day life'.  

 

 

So what did I post yesterday?  Well it was one short simple comment, which I was delighted to see engaged a few people in conversation, which I now share with you:

My growing disappointment in the federal conservative party is continuing ... and I know I am not alone in this. 

 

"Merv":  Yes, but what's the alternative?  

 

Me: I think that an alternative / shakeup will be inevitable, IF the federal party does not find its roots once again. 

 

"Sandy":

My Conservative/conservator roots go a long way back. I even ran as a Conservative candidate in the 1993 Kim Campbell election debacle and was steamrollered by the Reform candidate in this riding. 

 

I only mention this so that you can understand my own disappointment in the performance of Duffy and Wallin but I am still a firm supporter and believer in Stephen Harper's leadership. 

 

Before anyone runs screaming into the darkness, think of the alternative - Canada under the domination of eastern Liberals led by a Trudeau. In British Columbia and Alberta we should always remember what Trudeau Liberalism can do to our economy. 

 

Duffy and Wallin should be thrown out of the senate, along with anyone else found in conflict with ethical standards. That would include the Liberal senator also facing an inquiry into his expense claims.  

 

Me:

Thanks for your comments Sandy --- I posed this today to see what thoughts and ideas would come from others. As I say, I am sure I am not the only one with growing concerns.

 

The federal Conservative Party must, in my opinion, begin to look at why it's own supporters are beginning to question if it is losing its way, and how that should be addressed. If not, then it's future may be in jeopardy. 

 

"Damir":

Sure, I'll dog pile here. As a former PC/C voter who is quite concerned with the current situation in Ottawa, my 2015 vote is now completely up for grabs. What was done with the parliamentary budget office is, IMO, no better than the shameful way Victoria dealt with the auditor general. And what the heck ever happened to Senate reform?

 

Since the merger, the leadership is increasingly not walking the talk. Time for a change, either internally or externally.

 

No free pass just because the ghost of Trudeau is back in charge of the Liberals.

For what it's worth ... a few thoughts on slates and elections

It appears that there are now two slates of candidates, within the BC Conservative Party, who are running for executive and board positions.

Wikipedia describes a ‘slate’ as … a group of candidates that run in multi-seat or multi-position elections on a common platform.

Who will we vote for, and why?

If we (members of the BC Conservative Party) want a “Never the twain shall meet” result from the board elections, we can guarantee it will happen by voting for one slate or the other.

I for one am not prepared to see lines drawn between two groups that cannot exist … OR agree with each other … within our party.

ARE YOU prepared to let that happen through inaction?

No one person, or group of persons, is the BC Conservative Party.  The BC Conservative Party is the entire membership … the grassroots foundation and core of the party.

I am finding this next part of my comments to be hard to write.  I have written, edited, and rewritten this next part several times now.  I’ve done that because I do not want anyone reading this to think I have set myself up as some kind of authority.

Being on one slate, or the other, does NOT mean a person is qualified for the job. 

I hope that you will look at each person, who has let their name stand to be on the Provincial Executive and Board for our party, as an individual. 

What do you know of them … and what qualities and experience do they bring to the table?

Are they individuals who will be willing to seek the council and wisdom of others … others who may have a difference of opinion?

Will they commit to working with all members of the board … realizing there will not always be unanimous agreement on everything that comes before them?

I’m sure you have other qualifications and ideas as well, so talk to those who are seeking a position on the board … see what answers they have to these questions I have posed, and others you have thought of.

Kipling’s poem with the line, “and never the twain shall meet” also goes on to say;

But there is neither East nor West, Border, nor Breed, nor Birth,

When two strong men stand face to face, though they come from the ends of the earth!

I’ll end by saying in my opinion there can be NO room, and no place, for individual agendas, if our common goal is to elect BC Conservative MLA’s to the legislature in next year’s general election.

I’m Alan Forseth in Kamloops … with the thoughts of one conservative.  Feel free to share yours.

Given their own track record, hardly a peep can be heard from the NDP

Yesterday, BC Conservative Party Leader John Cummins asked, “Why is it so difficult for the BC Liberals to be truthful about the province’s finances?”

He asked that after Finance Minister Mike de Jong released BC’s first quarterly report for the budget year 2012/13.

Is this the government plan --- 'we'll just write it off'

A media report from the BC Conservative Party also stated that:

Cummins noted that the BC Liberals have a long history of deception and deceit regarding British Columbia’s finances.

This history of deception however goes back a lot longer than the BC Liberals time in office, and as one person I know said; “sadly...most people just do not want to know.”

This is nothing new --- and nothing recent for that matter. 

Regrettably I found that to be true when I ran for the BC Reform Party in the 1996 provincial election ... and sadly nothing seems to have changed since then.

Too many people only want to hear the sky is 'blue', even if there's storm clouds roaring in, and howling winds right behind.

I’m going to toss some numbers out ( your eyes will now glaze over) on BC’s provincial debt.  These are numbers that I would guess no more than five or ten percent of the population are even aware of:

• when the NDP took power in '91 the provincial debt was $17.26 Billion
• when the BC Liberals took power in 2001 the provincial debt had hit $24.9 Billion
• by 2011 the Liberals had taken the debt to $45 Billion
• and for 2014/15 the Ministry of Finance has projected that provincial debt will exceed $66 BILLION

"Fear of a name, increases fear of the thing itself"

Former BC Solicitor General Kash
Heed to retire after just one term

Remember the classic rock anthem from Queen ... Another One Bites the Dust?

Another one bites the dust

Another one bites the dust

And another one gone, and another one gone

Another one bites the dust

Hey, I'm gonna get you too

I was reminded of the song, when yet another BC Liberal MLA decided to call it quits late last week … former Solicitor General Kash Heed.  Heed was only elected as a BC Liberal MLA in the 2009 provincial election, in the riding of Vancouver - Fraserview. 

The fact that he has decided to bow out, after just one term, speaks volumes to the chances of BC Liberals in the next general election.

In an interview with the Asian Journal, Kash Heed laid out several reasons for his decision, including the following:

"...the system within British Columbia is very, very difficult to change and there really was no real, clear action by the government to make those significant changes."

"Unfortunately, our government has decided to move forward on signing a multi-billion-dollar, 20-year contract with the RCMP without doing, in my opinion, due diligence on what the best policing model is for British Columbia.

"I go away from politics, saying that I am glad I had my 31-year career in policing, because had I entered politics as my career, I would have been so, so disappointed.”

Kash Heed is now the third sitting BC Liberal MLA to announce he will not be seeking re-election.  The first, sometime ago, was Harry Bloy.  Last week, Kamloops South Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger also announced he was stepping down and would not run again.

Voice of BC - BC Conservatives

BC Conservative Party leader John Cummins

An interview between editorialist and Vancouver Sun news columnist Vaughn Palmer, and BC Conservative Party Leader John Cummins, aired live on the Voice of BC on Thursday May 17th.  For those who do not have SHAW as their internet provider, the link noted below will take you to this 60 minute video interview.

The following is the promo for that interview:

While the BC Liberals and BC NDP battle it our in the legislature, the BC Conservatives are growing their support throughout the province. 

Whether their support will hold until the provincial election in May 2013 is unknown, but it appears the 'coalition of the right' is splintering and most political observers believe that there is little hope of a united right going into the next election.

BC Conservative leader John Cummins provides some insight into his party's policies when he speaks with Vancouver Sun columnist and host of Voice of BC, Vaughn Palmer.

CLICK HERE for the interview

Their way of making change is through modification and control … social engineering … and social ownership

If the most recent poll by Angus Reid proves anything at all, it is that Christy Clark’s ‘unite the right’ mantra should finally be put to rest and buried.

It also shows that no matter what the BC Liberals decide to call themselves in the future, it will not make one bit of difference.  They will lose the next provincial election in one year from now … as sure as a dark evening sky will follow the sunshine I am enjoying here in Kamloops today.

Here in the Interior of the province, the Angus Reid poll indicates:

“… the New Democrats are first with 48 per cent, while the BC Conservatives are second with 26 per cent. Support for BC Liberals in the Interior has fallen to 18 per cent.”

Details of this survey also show that:

“The BC Liberals are only holding on to roughly half of their voters in the last provincial ballot (48%). Along with the 20 per cent of 2009 BC Liberal voters who are now saying they would vote for the Dix-led NDP, the governing party is losing 30 per cent of its past electors to the BC Conservatives.”

Are you familiar with the phrase, “The King is dead. Long live the King”?  According to Wikipedia, the phrase arose from … the law of le mort saisit le vif—that the transfer of sovereignty occurs instantaneously upon the moment of death of the previous monarch. "The King is dead" is the announcement of a monarch who has just died. "Long live the King!" refers to the heir who immediately succeeds to a throne upon the death of the preceding monarch.

In May 2013, there will be a transfer of power, and at the moment, it appears that this transfer may be going to the BC New Democrats.

BUT … do people know and realize what that transfer of power will mean – or are they simply going back to BC’s age old tradition of kicking out the guys that are in power.

Those swing voters, who are indicating they currently support the NDP, really need to read the following so they are fully aware of what a vote for the NDP will mean.

The “Preamble” in the Constitution of the New Democratic Party of British Columbia states:

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.

What is of more interest is the fact the governing BC Liberal Party remains mired at around 25% -- showing a huge lack of support amongst BC voters

The clock is ticking down to the next BC
General Election to be held May 14th, 2013

A Globe and Mail story yesterday was headlined, “B.C. Liberals would face thrashing if election held now, poll shows”

The story was based on a new Forum Research Poll that showed the NDP at 48% … the BC Liberals at 23% … and the BC Conservatives at 19%. 

Okay, so the party I support has dropped a couple of percentage points since their last poll, however that 19% figure is in keeping with other recent polls, by other companies.  Depending on who was polled, and where, it could also simply be ‘just a hick-up’ in the numbers.

Regardless, support for the BC Conservative Party is high, and continues to remain so.

What is of more interest, to me, is the fact the governing BC Liberal Party remains mired at around 25% -- showing a huge lack of support amongst BC voters.   

Not much has changed in 16 years

Last night I was going through a box of campaign material from the 1996 provincial election in BC.  For those not aware, I ran as a candidate for the BC Reform Party in the riding of Kamloops North Thompson.

Kamloops Daily News political cartoon from April
'96. We still have a “Clark”, but now it’s Christy.

While going through the box, I came upon opening remarks I made at an All-Candidates Forum that had been held in Barriere, a small rural community about half an hour north of Kamloops, in the North Thompson.   

Today I thought I would share them, once again, because in reading them I thought … not much has changed in 16 years!  I wonder, as you read this, if you'll think the same thing.

For far too long we have had only two choices in British Columbia come election time.  One was to vote a party out of power, thereby allowing the other party to win by default – or to vote for a party that didn’t really meet our needs, but kept the other out of power.  Things are different now.

The election being held May 28^th is going to be one of the most important ever.  One that will provide each of us with a choice to continue with ‘behind closed doors decision making the traditional parties offer – or to choose a party that has the will and courage to listen and make ‘real change happen … to make government accountable to you.

But with choice, comes the responsibility to know where the parties stand on issues, and how they will deal with the important decisions that face our province in the years ahead … and how they will consult with you and seek your input in making those decisions.

Our choice will also come down to electing a ‘politician’ – or electing a ‘representative’.

We’re gonna do what they say can't be done

Last night, while having a chat with a former member of the BC Conservative Party, I was reminded of the theme song from the 1977 Burt Reynolds movie “Smokie and the Bandit”.  For those who don’t recall, the basic plot of the story is as follows:

Bandit and Cledus are two truck-driving southerners who accept a dare from big-shots Big and Little Enos to pick up a truckload of beer from Texas and return it to them within a specified amount of time. Picking it up is simple enough, but as they are leaving Texas, Bandit unwittingly picks up Carrie, a hitchhiking bride-to-be who just left her groom, Junior, at the altar. Junior, however, is the son of Sheriff Buford T. Justice. And when Buford and Junior discover what has happened, they go on a "high-speed pursuit" across the Southeast to catch the bandit.

The movie as many will remember was just a lighthearted, laugh a minute, comedy as Bandit and Cledus attempt to do ‘what can’t be done’, and the obstacles they encounter along the way.

In a way, it reminds me somewhat of what the BC Conservative Party has gone through over the past couple of years as it has come from obscurity, to become a contender on the political map. And in doing that, they have dared to do what others have said could not be done.

Going from a couple hundred members – to several thousand – I'm sure has created interesting dynamics as new people have brought new ideas to the table, and have mixed and merged them with the foundation that was there to start with.

How long can Christy Clark last?

After winning the leadership of the BC Liberal Party last February, here is what new leader Christy Clark had to say:

Premier Christy Clark, during the
campaign to lead the BC Liberal Party

"I want you to be my partners in change in Victoria. I want you to be my partners in bringing open government. You can count on me to listen, you can count on me to engage, and you can count on me to make sure government really does include you. I have specific ideas on how to do these things but I also need to hear from you," she said.

"My top priority will be to put families first. In British Columbia we are blessed with families of all shapes and sizes, families as diverse as our great province. This is the foundation of our communities. This is the building block of our future."

What a difference a year makes.  Since then her government has goes from one problem to the next … she and her party have watched as more and more of the people who voted Liberal last election, have moved to BOTH the BC Conservative Party, and the NDP … saw a former Liberal cabinet Minister (John van Dogen) switch to the Conservatives… and listened, watched, and read one story after the other discussing the possibility that her party may place third in the two up-coming by-elections.

She has also watched as both her approval rating, and the fortunes of the BC Liberals, have fallen in poll after poll.

Now, from all sides of the political spectrum, people are beginning to question whether she can even survive as leader of the party before the next election is to be held in May 2013.

I hope others will do the same – and support something they can believe in – NOT just vote to toss something out

Today it took a few minutes to read the editorial in the Victoria Times Colonist … it was titled “Liberal wipeout benefits no one”, and I would like to encourage you to check it out.

Personally, I have a feeling it was written by someone that has leanings towards the BC Liberal Party; however it did ask some important questions that all BC voters need to consider.  Here are just a few excerpts from the editorial:

As it stands, we are headed for an NDP sweep of the province similar to the Liberal sweep of 2001.  While this might bring delight to those who are determined to make the Liberals pay for their sins and their errors over the past decade, this kind of political turmoil is not good for the province...

Premier Christy Clark has tried to put a fresh, optimistic face on the government, but it simply hasn't worked.

We need stability from our leaders, as well as a sense of purpose. We won't have that if the government is bouncing from one idea to the next, trying to find messages that resonate with voters. Good government is based on solid values and sound principles, not poll numbers, yet the fate awaiting the Liberals in next May's election will always be in the back of their minds.

…what is next? More turmoil? More desperate attempts to win back the voters? And if that doesn't work, what's left - a scorched-earth attitude that would ensure that the NDP inherits as many problems as possible?  This would not provide the kind of stability that the province needs.

… have voters seriously considered all of the alternatives? Have we examined the policies of the NDP or the Conservatives - or the Greens, for that matter?  Have we considered what governments run by either of these parties might do?

Just because they aren't Liberals does not automatically make them better. We need to judge each party on its own merits, not simply vote against the people in power.

The 2001 election result, which left us with 77 MLAs on the government side and only two in opposition, was over the top … unless the mood of the voters changes, we will do the same thing to the Liberals.  These wild swings from left to right don't help the province … who benefits when the governing party is so thoroughly written off? Nobody.

As I said at the start, this editorial does make some important points, and asks some serious questions.

It may talk like a duck … but it sure as heck doesn't walk like one

Premier Christy Clark -- "Iron Snowbird"?

It is truly remarkable --- actually truly unbelievable, the heights of hypocrisy that Christy Clark will use, and go to, in her attempt to appear what she truly is not.

Christy Clark comes from the lineage of Federal Liberals, her heritage is the Federal Liberal Party, and on top of that, it's from the left leaning side of the 'federal' Liberal Party.

I'm reminded of an old saying. Remember this one? If it walks like a duck, and talks like a duck …

No … wait a minute ... somethings not quite right here. This duck may talk like a duck … but it sure as heck doesn't walk like one. There is NOTHING conservative about Christy Clark. Not small 'c' … or capitol “C” … make no mistake about it.

A story ran on Saturday in both the Vancouver Sun … and the Times Colonist. The Times Colonist story was titled “Clark lauded as 'iron snowbird'” and it part it said:

Clark is in the fight of her political life due to the challenge from a number of Manning's former Reform MPs who have moved into provincial politics under former MP John Cummins, the B.C. Conservative leader.

The premier has enlisted Manning and two of the Reform founder's former top MPs, including ex-Harper ministers Chuck Strahl and Jay Hill, to blunt the attack from the right.

So far that hasn't paid off. Manning said publicly in October that he supports Clark, not Cummins, as the best bet to keep the NDP from taking power. But polls consistently show the B.C. Liberals are well behind the NDP …

Christy Clark may walk like a duck, but it's a Liberal Duck … and Christy Clark may talk like a duck, but it's a Liberal Duck. 

Christy Clark can surround herself with as many former Reformers as she likes … but she will still be a Liberal Duck.