PETER SHARP: "This begins Day #1 as the BC Conservative candidate for Kamloops South Thompson"

Last night BC Conservatives, in Kamloops South Thompson, elected Peter Sharp to represent them in this Mays Provincial General Election.

Those of you in other areas of the province, or who may have been unable to attend last night meeting, missed a great meeting, and hearing the words of Peter. 

He has given me permission to print them for you and they follow.  First though, I thought I would share with you what he had to say online this morning:



Step one in seeking the nomination -- filling out the BC
Conservative Party nomination forms (42 pages!)

"This begins Day #1 as the BC Conservative candidate for Kamloops South Thompson. And it begins with news from a new Ipsos Reid poll that shows 24% of voters are now less likely to vote for the BC Liberals following release of the new budget. BONUS!"

Now, here is Peter's speech from last night.

Good evening fellow Conservatives, honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen, and fellow nominee candidate Maria Dobi ...

 

My name is Peter Sharp and tonight I hope to become your candidate, for the BC Conservative Party, in our Kamloops South Thompson Riding.  Then with your support, encouragement, and assistance -- to become your MLA following the May General Election. 

 

About a month ago, BC Liberal MLA Terry Lake was quoted as saying:  “What we do see, as we get closer to election, is that people are understanding what the BC Conservatives are all about….”

 

My hope is that the Voters of our great province do indeed come to understand what we, as BC Conservatives are all about and what we believe in ... and what we hope to bring to the political stage in British Columbia.

 

Terry Lake tossed a generalized statement out -- one, which implied there is something to fear from the BC Conservatives.   He knows that his implied statement is completely without truth ... and the backroom manipulators of the BC Liberal Party know that as well.

 

In fact ... because WE BELIEVE IN BC ... and the people of BC ... I am proud to say that our beliefs, principles and policies differ greatly from the BC Liberal Party.

 

WE - as BC Conservatives - believe in clearly defined public policies and programs that are affordable, effective, and accountable to each one of you here tonight.  And I too believe that each and every British Columbian is entitled to full knowledge of all services government provides ... AND what they cost.

 

After all ... how else can we know if we are getting good value?

 

WE -- as BC Conservatives --  believe that our provincial government must operate with the highest standards of integrity and transparency.  And we as BC Conservatives also believe that governments at all levels -- including at the municipal level -- are responsible to serve and respect all individuals and their families. 

 

Peter Sharp speaking with members of
the media at the announcement he would
seek the Kamloops South nomination

As an elected councillor with the City of Kamloops, I have firsthand experience in knowing why our elected representatives should first and foremost represent your interests.

 

As a retired RCMP officer with 30 years of experience, I too believe in the BC Conservative Party's policy of law and order that focuses on the rights of victims ... and the protection of the public.

 

We as BC Conservatives have our feet planted in reality.  We need to have smaller government ... we need to encourage new enterprise.  Leadership at all levels (from teachers in the classroom -- to elected officials in Victoria) MUST encourage our youth ... parents ...  employees in the workplace ... and business leaders to dream big dreams.  We need to once again strive towards excellence and prosperity. 

 

These are not just motherhood statements ... these are statements that I too -- WITH YOU -- believe in.

 

If I have the opportunity to be your elected representative for the BC Conservative Party…. I will hold my party accountable to create an environment where good government and prosperity can be achieved.

Bits and Bits, from here and there, as we end this week

The following comments, from a city councilor in Northern BC, should be required reading for those seeking to represent us – at whatever level of government.

1) Being elected to represent citizens of ( XYZ ) is a privilege, not a right.
2) Even if I feel strong about it, what does the majority of ( XYZ ) think about it.

3) We work as a group to move the city forward, but were each elected for our own separate reasons.

From a CBC News story:

It’s not unusual for a politician to stroll through the halls of the B.C. legislature, but when it’s new B.C. Conservative party leader John Cummins, it turns a few heads.  Cummins, recently an MP and not yet elected as an MLA, was attending the first working day of the new legislative session as an observer.

"I think it was important to be here for the first couple of days," Cummins said.  The Conservatives have steadily grown in popular support since Cummins took the helm of the revived party in May.  "Everywhere we go, people are interested in what we have to say," Cummins said.

From BC Auditor General John Doyle’s summary report:

“My audit opinion for the 2010/11 fiscal year contains one audit reservation, indicating that the financial statements are not in compliance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). This is one of the three audit reservations that featured in my 2009/10 opinion."

Revisiting some recent poll results by Ipsos Reid

Yesterday I brought up a topic of politics and policies being too much the same, and stated that;

“If car companies died because of … boredom, lack of uniqueness, no originality, poor quality … could the same be in line for politics.”

I concluded by saying;

“They (NDP and Liberals) have become so much the same that indeed, many in BC are now able to say there is a lack of uniqueness and originality.  And given the number of MLA’s who have been forced to toe party line, regardless of constituent or personally opinion, there is also an ever increasing thought we are also suffering from ‘poor quality’.”

“My hope is that they will take a stand against boredom … lack of uniqueness … no originality … and poor quality. If the BC Conservative Party continues to bring forward the best common sense of British Columbians, then the BC Liberals and the BC NDP will be relegated to the trash heap of history where old and out-dated ideas eventually end up.”

So that was yesterday in a nutshell.  Today I decided to revisit some recent poll results that were done by Ipsos Reid two months ago.   

A lot was made back then of the fact that the BC Conservative Party was making great strides with increased popularity.  I think however there are several things that are of far greater importance … and if what I wrote yesterday is of any value, a lot of information from that poll needs to remain foremost in the mind of John Cummins.

Put those ideas forward John ... but be prepared to fully back them up ... because that is what we are asking to see happen!

It has been said that the only political poll that counts is the one that takes place on election day – I agree.  That said however, when two polls come out the same week, showing the political party you support is increasing, well you have to like that.

I recent years the BC Conservative Party has been found lumped in with a group called “Others” -- not so any more!  In the last week or so two polls have come out that show the BC Conservatives gaining in popular support.

In the poll taken by Ipsos Reid they show the party at 10%, while the one by the Mustel Group poll had the BC Conservatives at 18%! These results have to be encouraging for John Cummins who will soon become leader of the party – they show BC voters are responding in a positive way to a message of change, government accountability, and electing a government that puts

folks ahead of the special interests.

The Ipsos Reid poll, which can be found HERE, shows that compared to the May 2009 election, voter support for the BC Liberals is down 5 points from 46% ... and the NDP are down 3 points from 42%.  (NOTE ... both of these polls have of course been conducted since the Liberals and New Democrats elected new leaders.)

This Week in BC Politics …

There were a number of interesting stories on the political front this week in BC --- including 2 polls … one showing the BC Conservative Party at 10% popular support – and a second at 18%.  One of the big things driving that increase has been John Cummins who next week will be elected leader of the Party.

Speaking of next week, John Cummins will be in Kamloops May 26^th.  He will speak at a public meeting beginning at 7pm at the Hotel 540 (formerly Stockman’s / Executive Inn) downtown on Victoria and 6^th.

Now … here are some of the stories that made the news this week …

Cummins factor may decide when B.C. votes

… Cummins is not afraid to push the hot buttons, and he will get media attention when he does. 

Polls, ElectionBC, Moe Sihota --- is an election call around the corner?

Will we be having a BC general election in 2011 – over two years ahead of time. Speculation continues on that one – which is way I took a trip with Google to look at a few recent news stories over the past 6 month. Read on and see what you think ... but first let's check in with Elections BC:

Elections BC

Voting is an important part of our democratic process. It is a chance, for every eligible person to influence the policies that affect our lives on a daily basis. With only a simple mark on a ballot, voting lets us decide who our representatives will be and what our future will look like. The right to vote is protected by Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms and is one of our country’s most cherished institutions.

B.C. was the first province in Canada to establish fixed election dates. Provincial general elections are to take place on the second Tuesday in May every four years. The next provincial election is on May 14, 2013