Today I am the Scout Troop leader, and every Scout night, I measure my actions by the way my scout leader taught me

It seems to me that BC Conservative Party leadership candidate Dan Brooks, really has a way of connecting with people.  I have seem it through my own interactions with him ... and in observing him speaking with, and listening to, others.

The other day I had a recent letter passed to me by an old acquaintance of Dan's.  I think it speaks to the character of who Dan is ... how, if elected, he will lead the BC Conservative Party ... and from there show the leadership needed to govern our province, when elected to the legislature, with our team of BC Conservative MLA's.

Have a read, and see what you think:

As a young man in the Scouts Canada program I experienced first hand the great out doors of Beautiful British Columbia. From the seat of a canoe and under the shoulder straps of my first back pack I learned to enjoy nature and recognize the testimony it presents of the beauty of life.

But Scouts, believe it or nor,  wasn’t always so pleasant.

Putting several teenage boys together in a classroom or out in the wild can be quite hectic, and even dangerous. Dan Brooks knew how to take those – so called – difficult years of a boys life and mold them into the “bar” of his life.

On more than one occasion in my adult life I have found myself asking; “If this were scouts, would I be giving up?”

Three lessons – in particular – have always stuck with me and pushed me to stretch myself to greater heights.

The first; Respect, and we never forgot it. Second; Chap stick, thank goodness we had it. And third; “Your going to do it, your going to like it, and your going to be happy.”

On Dan’s first scout night as our newly called leader, he taught us to respect ourselves, girls and women, your parents and leaders, and the out doors. The second scout meeting he taught the same principal. The third meeting, once again; we learned respect. Every meeting and scout camp there after we learned to respect.

I still find myself naturally opening doors for women, looking some one in the eye when they are speaking to me, listening when being spoken to or taught, having something of value to add, and reporting back. A habit developed as a boy.

Second; chap stick. It’s a long, involved story of which I urge you to ask Dan about yourself, but for me the memory and life lesson was behind the funny experience. It happened on a cold winter night in the shoulder deep snow between home and Kennedy lakes.  The younger scouts stayed at home lake while Dan and the rest of us broke our own trail and headed for Kennedy – a distance of approximately 8 km’s. 

It’s sick. It’s a sick culture ... it’s really unhealthy. I was talking about the legislature

This is one of those blog posts where I will let the words of others do the talking ... including Christy Clark.  She, and others, have already said it so well. 

 

 

CBC (June 5th / 2013):
"We say names like WAC Bennett and Bill Bennett and we think of leadership — two great leaders who shaped our province," said Clark. 

 

National Post (Apr 13 / 2013):
It’s no secret that Christy Clark’s government has a credibility problem ... Ms. Clark continues to misinform, mislead and just make up stuff. 

 

Doug Morrison of Garibaldi Highlands (Vancouver Sun June 11 / 2013):
Today’s government policies on private power are in the process of bankrupting W.A.C. Bennett’s greatest contribution to the growth of the B.C. economy, BC Hydro, the “powerhouse of British Columbia.”.  Christy Clark has no right at all to be channeling the spirit of the great W.A.C. Bennett. 

 

 

Chilliwack Progress (Apr 22 / 13):
Clark said on Thursday that Strahl is an example of a retired federal politician who is "very actively helping us on this campaign and I'm really proud of the contribution (he's) making." 

 

Strahl confirmed that he has "no involvement" in Clark's or anyone else's campaign 

 

Vancouver Sun (June 11th)

...  Christy Clark’s BC Liberal government has significantly increased the maximum salaries it can pay to its top political staff ... boosts the maximum salary that can be handed to Clark’s Chief of Staff ... can now also make up to $230,000, representing a boost of almost 60 per cent from the position’s previous cap of $144,000. 

 

CKNW 980 on the Bill Good Show with Mike Smyth June 12th):
Finance Minister Mike de Jong is defending surprise Liberal pay increases for political staff, even as his government preaches austerity.  

 

CBC News (June 7th / 2013):
Delta South Independent MLA Vicki Huntington says she is dismayed over the $25 monthly fee charged for wheelchairs or wheelchair cushions. 

Did the BC Liberals win a majority government because they had Christy Clark as their leader? We'll find out soon enough, once the by-election is actually called.

Yes a 'Win For The Ages' for the BC Liberal
Party -- but was it a win for her leadership?

Does Christy Clark deserve a free-pass, in Westside-Kelowna, to get in to the legislature?

I certainly don't think so ... and regardless, two teams are in place who will indeed challenge her ability to be in the legislature as an elected Premier.  And, perhaps even one or two strong independent candidate will also step forward in the days ahead.  

Lots has been written in the news media over the past week and a half ... here is just a snapshot. 

MacLeans (June 5th)
Clark was defeated in her Vancouver-Point Grey riding, where she spent little time as she toured the province. The Liberals were widely expected to get badly pummelled in the vote and the party’s come-from-behind win to increase its number of seats in the legislature is largely attributed to Clark’s campaign skills. 

The Liberals said on election night she sacrificed her own riding to do it, making a byelection necessary. 

Vancouver Province (June 5th)
... said ... that she felt that Kelowna “is a natural political home for me and the values I believe in.”

“This is the cradle of free enterprise,” Clark said, noting that premiers WAC Bennett and his son Bill Bennett represented the people of Kelowna during their long reigns. “Among all the offers that I received from MLAs, this one felt the most natural.”  

BC NDP (June 5th)
We are looking forward to running a strong campaign with an Okanagan candidate against the Premier in Westside-Kelowna. 

The BC NDP will run a candidate with local roots who can offer the people of Kelowna and West Kelowna a strong, local voice in the legislature. 

The local constituency association will choose our candidate and we will be in a position to announce who that is in due course. 

The Armchair Mayor (June 6th)
I’m not one of those who gets all sentimental about Christy Clark “deserving” a seat in the B.C. Legislature ... 

Westside-Kelowna is a strange choice for Clark. She’s from the Coast, after all.

... according to Clark, though, Kelowna is her “natural political home.” Apparently, she’s had an epiphany after all these years. Clark, who lives in Vancouver-Fairview, lost in Vancouver-Point Grey. She is a Lower Mainlander through and through, but suddenly her political heart is in the Interior. 

... this being a democracy, the people should have a say, and she should have to earn her seat. 

Wouldn't you agree? Is this a legitimate expectation we should have?

Once upon a time a popular opposition firebrand named Christy Clark, stood up in the BC Legislature, to rip the NDP government for spending tax dollars on shameless, self-promoting advertising. 

“People don't want the government to spend 700 grand 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?” 

The above is from an opinion / editorial piece by BC Taxpayers Federation Director Jordan Bateman (November 2012) entitled, "Government Ads Use and Abuse Taxpayers’ Money".  

For month prior to the May 14th provincial election campaign, the BC Liberals took hits from all quarters, on this clearly wasteful and partisan adverting campaign.  

Sadly, during the four week election campaign, it was all but forgotten ... even by former radio co-worker Bill Good who on November 16th, over the airwaves of CKNW had stated:  "Those are very partisan ads. They should be bought and paid for by the Liberal Party of BC." 

The election is of course ended a week ago, but perhaps the major political commentators such as Keith Baldrey, Vaughn Palmer,  Bill Tieleman, Michael Smyth, etc, will now ask this question which I now pose: 

"Will the Premier comment to ending this kind of self-promotion and stick to truly informative ads providing BC residents with 'needed' information?"  

I believe if she does this, it really will help to put her on a more solid footing with a large number of British Columbians who still sit in two distinct camps; those who didn't vote for her ( over 55%) ... and those who again for a number of reasons(including a belief it doesn't make any difference) didn't cast a vote at all (approximately 48%).  

By the way, this is equally a fair question to ask of Adrian Dix and the NDP, as he himself had also pushed for a ban on partisan information being presented in government advertising being paid for by taxpayers, and had indicated that if elected he would put forward legislation to stop this from happening again.

So I put the question forward to both leaders then; are you against partisan political advertising which is paid for by taxpayers, and will you put forward legislation / support legislation, that would see this in place and enforced?

It's fair question to ask this, and the taxpayers of BC should have every right to know the answer ... wouldn't you agree? 

Is this a legitimate expectation we should have of government?

I'm Alan Forseth in Kamloops, with the thoughts of one conservative.  The floor is now being turned over to you ... and I welcome your thoughts on this.

Meet Ed Fehr, BC Conservative Party candidate for Kamloops North Thompson

Kamloops North Thompson BC Conservative
Party candidate Ed Fehr

I was born in Beaver Lodge, Alberta. My family moved to a small community called Takysie near the Lakes District community of Burns Lake, BC.  At Takysie, my family bought and operated a small sawmill.

Three years later, we moved to Fraser Lake, BC, where my parents bought a 160 acre farm on which our family raised 200 head of sheep.  At an age of 12, this helped me learn the importance of being responsible, and knowing the value of hard work. 

Ed Fehr is; “A guy that’s willing to have boots on the ground, go door-to-door and talk to people and bring their issues back to Victoria."

Over the course of my life, I have worked in several industries including operational aspects mining; and  like our party leader John Cummins,  I have taken pride in being able to see the end results of hard work. 

I cut my teeth in politics with the Saskatchewan Party while living there between 1997 and 2004.  I held the role of Vice-President in Saskatoon Center, and then went on to become President of the Riding Association a year later. 

Ed Fehr sees increasing access to doctors as a major priority for the next provincial government; "We need to have more doctors, and the health-care system needs to be completely revamped.”

I returned to BC in 2007, and in March 2012, I was elected as president of the Kamloops-North Thompson Constituency Association for the BC Conservative Party.

I married my lovely wife Naomi in 1996. 

Throughout my life people like late Cyril Shelford (BC rancher and Social Credit MLA), have made a lasting impression on me, to be a voice for the people of British Columbia in the provincial legislature.

This government continues to stagger to the finish line of this electoral term --- and only a miracle will see them win re-election for another term

On February 26th, 2011, Christy Clark was elected leader of the BC Liberal Party, making her Premier of the province ... she was then sworn in as British Columbia's 35th Premier on March 14th, 2011 ...

On May 12th, 2011 she was elected MLA for Vancouver-Point Grey MLA in a by-election ... and on May 30th, 2011 Christy Clark then took her legislative seat as MLA ...

SO ... how many days has the government she leads conducted the people business in the legislature since then?

Dome of the BC Legislature in Victoria

Between April 27th, 2011 and June 2nd, 2011 Christy Clark had the government in session for 20 days ... between October 4th, 2011 and November 24th, 2011 the legislature was in session for 23 days ... and ... between February 14th, 2012 and May 31st, 2012 the government was in session for another 48 days.

Since Christy Clark was elected as the leader of the BC Liberal Party -- and therefore the Premier of the province of British Columbia -- the legislature has been in session a total of 91 days. 

That's just three months.

Christy Clark has been premier for 21 and a half months; government has been in the legislature, doing the peoples business, for just 3 of them.

Given events of the past few weeks with controversy over whether Auditor General John Doyle would be given a second term ... the erratic spending of 10's of thousand of dollars on a constituency office by BC Liberal MLA Eric Foster in Vernon - Monashee ... and the complete mishandling, by the Liberals, of whether BC Liberal MLA John Slater was to have the opportunity to run again for the party ... I'm not surprised its only been 90 days.

This government continues to stagger to the finish line of this electoral term --- and only a miracle will see them win re-election for another term.

A decade of government under the NDP saw reckless spending and numerous scandals. And a decade of government under the BC Liberals has really seen much the same.

Now the question is; will the people of BC turn to, and consider, the option of electing a BC Conservative government led by John Cummins?

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

Hopefully the next provincial election will usher in a new era of government accountability

Well anyone that has not heard the latest political news in BC has just woken from a long winters nap.  I speak, of course, about yesterday’s announcement by Abbotsford South MLA John van Dongen, that he has joined the BC Conservative Party

If you care to have a listen, the following are a couple of news stories from CTV on the defection”:

• Ed Watson (CTV NEWS) comments on John van Dongen’s defection from BC Liberals

• Rob Brown (CTV News) interview with John van Dongen following resignation  

I find, however, that comments of individuals to be of more interest, which is what today’s blog story will be made up of.  Here are just a few examples of comments that have been made to me, and to the media:

John van Dongen joins the BC Conservative Party

John van Dogen -- Abbotsford South
MLA leaves for BC Conservative Party

Sometime back I had made a mental note of several BC Liberal MLA's that I thought may be considering a move to the BC Conservative.

I thought the first might break after the two by-elections; however today Abbotsford South Liberal MLA John van Dogen made political history for the new BC Conservatives.  

Here are the comments of John Van Dongen, with comment as well by BC Conservative Party leader John Cummins:

March 26, 2012 – Victoria –
John Cummins, Leader of British Columbia’s Conservatives, welcomed John van Dongen, MLA for Abbotsford South into the BC Conservative Party.

“John van Dongen is a man of principle and integrity, and I am delighted that he has joined BC’s fastest growing party,” said Cummins. “I am excited to work with John as we reach out to British Columbians and share our message of fiscal responsibility, ending the catch-and-release justice system, and reducing the influence of special interests in the political process. John’s experience in the legislature will be invaluable in holding the government to account.”

That will be the finish, and end, of this tired and worn out government

Today, in the Vancouver Sun, newspaper Vaughn Palmer had an opinion piece entitled, “Liberals unlikely to win seats in newly called by-elections”.  Here’s the Coles Notes from that piece:

… The two seats in the legislature had been vacant for weeks … candidates were already nominated and running.

… Clark had visited both ridings on multiple occasions, making announcements, reaping media cover-age

… all that remained was for her to call the by-elections and make it official.

Still she hesitated. Her answers to questions about timing went from "soon" to "very soon" to "every day we're closer."  … "because I haven't called them yet."

… as to the chances of either one of those seats being re-occupied by a B.C. Liberal, the premier's hesitation provides the strongest evidence of the government's reading of the public mood …

The story goes on to say that;

… in Chilliwack, the Liberals cast about for "name" candidates to replace the departed MLA Barry Penner, before finally settling on Laurie Throness, a long-time political aide with strong connections to one of the evangelical churches.

There, too, they were upstaged in the battle of the political names, when the B.C. Conservatives nominated John Martin, a newspaper columnist (Chilliwack Times, the Province) and outspoken criminologist who takes special delight in baiting his academic colleagues for what he regards as an overwhelmingly small-l "liberal" bias.

Some of you may not know much about John Martin, if you do not live in the Fraser Valley.  If that’s the case, I’d encourage you to drop by his website.  You’ll find a number of media releases regarding various policies and ideas from the BC Conservative Party … and along with his thoughts on policies and plans of the current BC Liberal government. 

The ineptitude of this government hurts people -- real people!

Moderate scoliosis curve -- read on and
you'll understand why this photo is here.

Earlier today I posted the following on Facebook

GEORGE ABBOTT SAYS:

“We are truly disappointed by the union’s decision to hold a three-day strike beginning next week. A strike of this nature will significantly disrupt student learning and creates tremendous concern for parents and families."

ME ... as you may have noticed George, I am a little more than just disappointed in both the BCTF and the government -- you're both acting like spoiled brats!

Given that you do seem to understand there will indeed be a significant disruption to learning, may I suggest that members of the legislative assembly get their collective butts into the legislature over the weekend, and pass Bill 22!

It didn’t take long for a response to be posted by my MLA, Kevin Krueger who said:

I am presently in the Legislature, working away. There are times to do night sittings and weekends; we do not think this is one of them. We're looking for lasting, long-term solutions, and an outcome respectful of all. Did you watch the debate yesterday? Obviously not - there was nobody there "acting like spoiled brats," as you put it. If you want to be a serious candidate, do some serious thinking and research, and refrain from childish admonitions about people's "collective butts," as above. Good grief.

That required a response … and included something I have been sitting on for a few days now because I was extremely angry.  What I have been sitting on and not made mention of prior to today, is exactly why I am not only tired with the petty politics we have been seeing by the NDP and the Liberals, and with government waste ... I am actually very ANGRY!

TIMES COLONIST: MLA nearly ejected over heckling

Kamloops South Thompson Liberal
MLA Kevin Krueger

My MLA for Kamloops South Thompson riding, Kevin Krueger, is well known for his outbursts in the BC Legislative Assembly. 

Last, week, as outlined in the following story from the Victoria Times Colonist, he continued that tradition.  The story described him, politely, as being 'boisterous' ... 'interjecting' ... 'heckling' ... and 'rude'.

NDP MLA also said that Krueger's comments were, "... loud, vindictive, boorish and irrelevant to the budget debate."

Here is the story in full:

THE HECKLER - The boisterous member for Kamloops-South Thompson, Kevin Krueger, was almost booted from the chamber this past week for not being able to keep his mouth shut.

Krueger, whose booming voice is often heard interjecting into other MLA speeches, cut into independent Vicki Huntington's response to the budget Thursday.

"Do you represent anything?" he shouted.

"I represent the people, Member," she replied.

Huntington had to sit down twice to wait for silence, but Krueger kept on going.

This has now become a government that is completely arrogant, and fails to realize that by their very actions they are hurting small middle class families

The other day a friend of mine (Alvin) sent out an email with regards to ICBC, the rate increases we can expect from them, and what the salaries of the top executives are for this government owned corporation.

Sometime later, I received a copy of a response that was sent to Alvin, from someone he knows.

I read and considered it for a while, and then realized that he, like many other British Columbians, are looking for confidence – confidence that what they are considering (a move to the BC Conservative Party) can make BC a better place to live ... to work ... and to raise a family.

I don’t know this person (Brian) --- I’ve never met him.  I decided however to send a reply to him.  I’d like to share that with you, but first however are the words of Alvin’s friend, Brian

Alvin

Thanks for the email, but please tell me where the BC Conservative's will replace the "dividends" the provincial government currently gets, higher personal, corporate, sales tax?

Another day … another poll. What does it mean?

Yesterday saw the release of a new poll that shows the BC Liberals, led by Christy Clark, are in deep trouble and headed for defeat in the next provincial general election in 2013.  That is however nearly 16 months away, and a lot can change between now and then … it does however show a strong trend that has been developing over 6 consecutive polls by 3 different polling companies.

The following is a story by CKWX New Radio 1130, from this morning, which gives a brief overview of the results of that poll:

Yet another poll is showing the BC NDP could form a majority government after the next provincial election. One political analyst feels there's not much the premier can do to buck this trend.

"This isn't just one poll showing them behind the NDP; this is multiple polls showing them behind the NDP," explains Sean Holman.  While he believes any seat predictions at this point are premature, he believes the New Democrats are going to be very well-positioned going into an election.

Holman feels the Christy Clark government is having all sorts of problems associated with an  administration in its third term. "And is currently led by a leader who is new but has not been able to capitalize on that 'newness' in a way in which she probably would have liked."

"She rolled out her jobs plan late last year. That was supposed to give her some kind of traction with British Columbians -- that hasn't seemed to have worked," he adds.

The Forum Research numbers suggest 57 seats for the NDP, 20 for the Liberals, seven for the Conservatives, and Independent Vicki Huntington keeping her seat. Clark’s disapproval rating is at 46 per cent with Adrian Dix at 35.

I have been saying for some time now that the BC Liberals were NOT going to win the next election, and that the only hope to see the NDP NOT win, or at least be held to a minority, was to have the BC Conservatives on the ballot, and elected to the legislature. 

Until now, no poll had shown the BC Conservative electing ANY members, that is now beginning to change however, and I believe that numbers will continue to show the Conservatives gaining in strength, and with the likelihood of electing more members, the closer we get to the next election.

THAT HOWEVER is not based on any of the recent polls.  No ... the reason I say this is because of information that comes from a BC Stats study that was done in January 2010 entitled, “Motivations and Barriers: Exploring Voters Behaviour in British Columbia”

Here are a few things that I noted in this report:

ASK … then ask again

Over the weekend, I was in a discussion with a fellow that is planning to run as a candidate, for the BC Liberal Party, in the next general election.  I guess in a nutshell, our discussion came down to the fact that both of us believe that the parties we support are both small “c” conservative.

I respect this person’s position; however I feel that given the direction of the BC Liberal party over the past few years, and my own experiences, they are not.

A portion of our discussion also came down to who were becoming members.  That one I know we both can agree on, its people that support the position and principles that each party takes.

My feeling is that the BC Liberal party has taken the direction of their federal counterparts… which is big government, big spending, and a we know best attitude … while the BC Conservative Party, led by John Cummins,  has taken the direction of smaller government, more government accountability, and less intrusion into people’s lives.

Come the next election, support of the people of BC will be the telling tale in which option is the one people choose. 

If more people believe in the Liberals idea, they will join the party, support it, and work to see their candidates are elected.

If more people believe in the ideas and principles of the BC Conservative Party – they will join it and work towards seeing BC Conservatives elected to the legislature.

It’s as simple as that!   

Which leads me to the title of today’s blog posting … “ASK, and then ask again”

The report does bring up things that cannot be ignored --- basically dismissing the party they came from as irrelevant however, is a BIG mistake

Today in the Victoria Times Colonist, reporter Jack Knox had an article entitled … B.C. Tories tap into worries about costs, gaffes of RCMP.  Early on in the story he makes the following comment:

An hour after word leaked out that Ottawa and the province were - finally! - close to a deal on a new RCMP contract Monday, the B.C. Conservatives issued a report calling the Mounties "inept and outdated."

Not that what the Conservatives say carries much weight, as they haven't elected an MLA since the 1970s. But in calling for B.C. to look at forming its own police force, they did drag up criticisms that, fair or not, neither the politicians nor the RCMP can afford to ignore.

There are many things to consider in this report, prepared for the BC Conservative Party by former Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Brian Peckford, and they do bear consideration. 

That aside … my attention was caught by the very beginning of the story. 

VANCOUVER SUN: Recognizing the good politicians

“Those who take a stand based on the view of their constituents should not be punished by their party”

I’ve had that thought many times … but those words were not written by me.  They are part of the headline (or story lead) in an opinion / editorial piece written by Maxwell A. Cameron.  He is director of the Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions at UBC. 

I would encourage you to read his full comments … but if you only have a moment right now, here are a couple of comments that he made in his article:

… Parliament is a place for deliberation and legislation. It is the one branch of government whose supreme duty it is to make the general rules by which all citizens shall abide….

… sadly, parliamentarians increasingly do what party leaders tell them rather than what they think is right. Subordination to the party begins with the nomination process, a typically opaque and poorly regulated affair. Individual candidates often come out of the process more beholden to the party machine than to constituents.

… our system is built on the principle of parliamentary supremacy. In practice we have a partyarchy — the rule of political parties at the expense of our constitutional order. We need politicians with the moral skill and will to restore balance to our parliamentary system.

This is pure and unadulterated ‘piffle politics’

“This is pure and unadulterated piffle politics”.  Those words were penned by a friend of mine, Al Siebring, who lives on Vancouver Island … and yes indeed “Piffle Politics” is what we have been subjected to year after year for the past 2 decades.

Piffle Politics is what we have been getting with all 4 throne speeches as well during the 39^th session of the legislature.

Let’s look for example at all the TALK that has been generated around the BC economy beginning with the first speech from the throne of the 39^th parliament which was give on August 25^th, 2009

 

As in the early part of this decade, it is a smart focus on our economy that will lead us back to the successful position that, only a year ago, we took for granted.

... heard clearly from British Columbians that they wanted a stable government that would live within its means, improve and protect vital services and lower costs on the economy so that we could invest in jobs and infrastructure.

The government committed to work to make B.C. more competitive, reduce barriers to the economy and protect core public services.

The benefits will flow through in higher productivity, higher wages and lower costs, increased competitiveness, reduced bureaucracy and red tape, more jobs and a stronger economy in every part of the province.

This administration's commitment to climate action is equally unflagging and crucial to our economy.

That sounds like the government is placing a high importance on the economy, and well they should, right??  I guess that then means that in the 2^nd throne speech, of the 39^th legislative session, given on February 9th, 2010, we should be hearing good news.  Let’s take a look …

John Cummins … thoughts on Jobs … and ‘common sense’

Today I thought before I posted a media release from John Cummins and the BC Conservatives, I would take an edited (only to shorten) quote from John Cummins “About Me” web page

Throughout my career I have always stood for common sense. Too often political decisions are driven by special interest groups or political correctness.  Join me in building a … new government based on common sense … do politics differently … listen to the people … build a new choice for British Columbia. Help us return common sense to the Legislature.

Given the government we have been getting under Christy Clark and the BC Liberals, BC Conservative Leader John Cummins is right when he says … “the cries for common sense change from everyday B.C. families will only grow louder”

Round one to Christy Clark; but this heavyweight fight still has a number of rounds to go

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.

In the words of John Cummins … or … “You’ll find that I’m not really a trained seal”

In just a few short weeks John Cummins will become the leader of the BC Conservative Party.  Some people may still wonder who and what he is about – and his thoughts on what a real government that is accountable to the voters should look like.  So for those still wondering, here is John Cummins … in his own words.

“No one can beat the Liberals when it comes to arrogance,”

“The best way to get things done is to listen to what the voters are saying, to stand up for what you believe in, and never back down on something you know is right,”