Sadly, Another Candidate Has Been Denied Due Process, And The Right To Let Their Name Stand

Recently, I wrote a blog post regarding Justin Trudeau blocking people who held specific Christian beliefs from even having the chance to run to become candidates for the federal Liberal Party in the next general election.

 

I received a number of personal comments back, and most of them simply said it was his right to do so. One individual, who I greatly respect, said to me ... “The only people impinged by Trudeau's move are Liberal members and the Liberal Party is a PRIVATE organization well able to discriminate how and where it wishes ... Where will that end? Soon such policies backfire and those arguing for such draconian measures soon find themselves victims of similar moves.”  

Let me be clear, my point was that he was disallowing members of the Liberal Party from 'choosing' the person they felt best represented what they wished to see in a candidate. The fact he was 'well able to discriminate how and where he wishes', had nothing to do with it.

Well it seems that it is now the turn of the federal NDP, as a Facebook post from Paul Manly in the riding of Nainaimo – Ladysmith outlined. Here is just the first part of what he had to say:

Dear Friends and Supporters

I would like to thank you all for your support and encouragement for my bid for the nomination to be the NDP candidate for the new federal riding of Nanaimo-Ladysmith. It is with regret that I write to tell you that the federal NDP has refused to allow me to stand as a candidate.

The local riding executive approved my candidacy for the nomination but the NDP National ...Director, Ann McGrath, has not approved me and the federal NDP executive will not let me stand as a candidate. 

 

I have done nothing illegal or immoral, nothing that I am embarrassed about or which breaks the NDP constitution. The reason my candidacy is being blocked is political ... 

 

Sadly, another candidate has been denied due process, and the right to let their name stand ... but more importantly, for constituents and NDP members, THEY have been denied the right to decide for themselves, who they wish to represent them.

 

As I mentioned, I have been critical of Baby Trudeau for this same injustice ... and will be equally critical of the Conservatives when and if the same happens.

 

Democracy is not, and should not be what the brass of a political party decide ... it should be the membership that has the opportunity to make these kinds of decisions.

 

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

What a coward ... what a two-faced babble mouthed clown

Some of you may have already read this editorial, in the June 21^st edition of the National Post, by Rex Murphy.  The opinion piece was entitled, “In Justin Trudeau’s world, Christians need not apply”.  (http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2014/06/21/rex-murphy-in-justin-trudeaus-world-christians-need-not-apply). 


This of course is just my opinion, but Trudeau deserves to be soundly rebuked by every Canadian that believes in the democratic rights of ALL Canadians.  The great golden boy Justin Trudeau --- the defender of the Charter of so-called Rights and Freedoms – is himself now telling card-carrying Liberal Party members, to take a hike and stuff their democratic rights in the crapper.

With his not to be questioned dictate, democracy to Justin Trudeau is from hereafter to be as follows … vote and do as I say; period, full stop.  No independent thought, or discussion, will be allowed.

Trudeau recently said he admired the Communist Chinese government, and you may remember news stories, with segments such as the following from the CBC late last year:

Liberal leader was asked which nation he admired most. He responded: "There's a level of admiration I actually have for China. Their basic dictatorship is actually allowing them to turn their economy around on a dime."

That statement was upsetting for people who say they were wrongly imprisoned or tortured by the Chinese government for speaking out for democracy.

"Can I use the word 'foolish'"? said one member of the Federation for a Democratic China, characterizing Trudeau's words. The political group advocates for the democratization of China …

Federal NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair also reacted with surprise to the Liberal leader's words, calling it "a bit silly" to laud China rather than to praise democratic values.

Trudeau was praising a government known for being a basic dictatorship.  Well it now seems this ‘silly’ and ‘foolish’ leader of a federal political party is now taking a page from their totalitarian playbook of the Chinese Communist Party; NO dissent will be allowed.

What's wrong mini-Pierre; are you afraid to give Liberal Party members the right to choose who they wish to represent them? Are you afraid to let Canadians exercise their democratic rights? 

What a coward ... what a two-faced babble mouthed clown.

Democracy means allowing Canadians to vote for who they want to vote for, NOT who you select for them to vote for!

The next federal election cannot come soon enough, when Canadians can hopefully banish this so-called second-coming of Trudeaumania, to the scrap heap where he belongs.


B.C. Conservatives lauded by leadership candidate - Dan Brooks relays resource platform in South Cariboo

The following is an article written by Carole Rooney, which appeared in todays (November 6, 2013) edition of the 100 Mile Free Press.  

 

British Columbia Conservative leadership candidate Dan Brooks recently visited 100 Mile House to meet with potential party supporters.  Brooks is based in Vanderhoof, where he runs a hunting and fishing lodge.

 

"I've been in tourism pretty much all of my life. In my background, I did an awful lot of land and resource management planning." 

 

While his party did not put forward a Cariboo-Chilcotin candidate in the last provincial election, Brooks said he is actively seeking new members in order to begin "building the party" and find a candidate in the constituency. 

 

"Even though we didn't elect anybody, the [B.C.] Conservative Party played a very, very crucial role in this last election, and we took the entire political spectrum to the right, toward free enterprise and personal freedoms. The [B.C.] Liberals tacked to counter us. In previous elections, we weren't a force, and so they could ignore us, but in this election, we were a significant force, and so they had to tack that way." 

 

In this manner, his party did a "great service" for the province and its democracy, he said, so despite having no members sitting in the legislature, those election efforts were not made in vain.

 

"This province will be better by our presence alone. Imagine how much better it will be when we are in government," he added, chuckling. 

 

Brooks explained he realizes people feel discouraged about the lack of strength in his party, but without his right-wing party views, they will only have an "NDP and NDP-like" perspective in the legislature. 

 

"We need a party that represents the ideals of [B.C.] Conservatives across the province. That's what we are trying to build." 

 

Most small rural communities in B.C. are either "outright suffering or stagnant," Brooks said, with little economic growth and dwindling population. 

 

"Across rural B.C. in the last 15 years, we have lost 58,000 people. That's an awful lot of people."

 

Last year, 10,000 residents left the province, he noted, while others have gone to larger urban centres. 

 

"As a potential leader of the [B.C.] Conservative party, that is a worrying trend that I propose to change. So, we have got to put the focus on rebuilding the rural resource economy." 

 

Brooks explained agriculture, forestry and tourism issues in the South Cariboo are likely much the same as in Vanderhoof, as they all require dedicated land. 

 

"So, you have to find ways to utilize land to maximize your revenue base off of that land base. And, there are some deterrents that currently exist." 

 

He noted the first example of this that came to his mind. 

 

"Aboriginal land claims ... have become an economic deterrent, and have made economic growth in our rural resource areas extremely difficult.  I agree entirely with the idea of consultation and accommodation, but you can't perpetuate this indefinitely. At some point in time, someone is going to have to stand up and say, 'we are going to force this issue'." 

 

Brooks added the "biggest problem" on First Nations reserves is abject poverty, and the way to eliminate that is to provide jobs. 

 

"How do you get jobs? You build a rural resource economy. So, by building economic growth in your rural communities, that benefits First Nations." 

 

The current MLAs have become "rubber stamp machines" who follow the party lines, he said, while the B.C. Conservatives will empower constituents by empowering their MLA to represent them as they see fit. 

 

Brooks noted he plans to visit the South Cariboo again before the party leadership elections take place April 11-12. 

 

"I'm going to be down here in 100 Mile the first week of December. This time I'll be holding an event ... we'll have a meet-and-greet."

A message from BC Conservative Party 'member' Alan Forseth

First let me start off by stating, "YES" I am the Campaign Manager for Dan Brooks leadership campaign, but my writing this post today is not about that, it is about something far more important. 

Some who are reading this message are BC Conservative Party  members, some former members, and some are supporters ... some are still active and working hard on behalf of the party -- others have become discouraged.

I am not discouraged, and let me tell you why. 

BC Conservatives, while not winning any seats in the May general election, played an important role; and that role must be built on.  We presented a message that needed to be heard; one of a caring and compassionate society ... of fiscal responsibility ... of environmentally sound resource management ... and of government accountability. 

Those are things which are vitally important to our province, which is why we now MUST build on the initial foundation which has been built.

In the current leadership race for the BC Conservatives, two individuals have stepped forward who believe in our party --- and it's future. I want to encourage you to follow their campaigns, and to take the opportunity to meet with both Dan Brooks, and Rick Peterson, when they are in your community.  Ask them the questions you want answers too.

There is a future for the BC Conservative Party --- an important one -- and we WILL be challenging the BC Liberals and the NDP in the next election in 2017.  I hope that future includes you playing a role in bringing our platform of common sense ideas to the people of BC ... and ensuring that we do indeed make history by electing BC Conservatives to the legislature.

Right now, I would like to encourage you to follow the campaigns of Rick and Dan, and keep up to date with where they are and what they have to say:



Dan Brook -- BC Conservative
leadership candidate

Dan Brooks:
 

Campaign website: http://danbrooksbc.ca/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dan.brooks.14606
 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/danbrooksbc

 

 



Rick Peterson -- BC Conservative
leadership candidate

Rick Peterson:
 

Campaign website: http://rickpeterson.net/
 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rickpetersonbccp
 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RPetersonBCCP


 

Thank you for your time ... and thank you for your consideration of this message. 

I'm Alan Forseth in Kamloops, and I'm a BC Conservative.

To all my BC Conservative friends ... and in particular Dan Brooks and Rick Peterson ... "Pursue your goal. Opinions be damned.”

Last Friday (September 27th) I happened across the North Shore News editorial entitled "Off to the races", which began by asking the question: 

"Can anyone recall a time when we were not in the midst of political party leadership race?  "

In the editorial comment they all but wrote off the 'leadership contests of the BC Conservatives and Greens' ... basically saying that even if you knew they were having a leadership contest, who would really care. 

At the same time however they did not have much complimentary to say about the Liberals or NDP:

Every time, we get the same commentary about the identity crisis the party must have in order to begin anew. Should they focus on their core principles? Or should they branch out to bring more people into the tent? 

 

In the NDP's case, it didn't seem to matter. Dix came in as a leader criticized for being too much of an old-guard, partisan ideologue and went down as a leader who wouldn't fight hard enough win the election. 

 

No matter who emerges as the new leader, a few things won't change.

Shall I complain?  Well to paraphrase the North Shore News, who would really care.  But then again, who should really care what they have to say?

SOME in the media, in my personal opinion, take the easy way out.  They rely on government, or political party media releases to get information needed for the news they present, and they don't dig very deep because that would take some effort and time.  Given the fact that media everywhere have chopped newsroom staff and budgets, that becomes difficult. 

So, let me say this ...  there are difference between parties, and therefore there is reason to pay attention to leadership races.  NOT just to see who is running, but why they are running. 

Every British Columbian -- and people involved in presenting the news -- should make some effort to find out what each political party stands for; not just the policies they say they champion, but also the principles that guide them. 

As a BC Conservative, I believe there is good reason see what both Dan Brooks and Rick Peterson will present as their vision for the party -- AND see how that lines up with our beliefs and principles.

IT DOES MATTER!  

SEAN UPSHAW; "Let me remind everyone that the word 'serve' is in Conservative"

Who is Westside-Kelowna BC Conservative candidate Sean Upshaw?  Well I asked Sean that very question, and here is what he had to say: 

Westside-Kelowna BC Conservative
candidate Sean Upshaw

Every story has a beginning.  Mine is similar to some, and greatly dissimilar to others.  I begin with this simply to let you know my early roots.  My parents divorced when I was 3. and I ended up in foster homes and between parents. Due to illness my Mom was on Disability Assistance; my father was an alcoholic. It was a challenging time for me as a child, and into my late teens. 

At age 18 I nearly died when I was stung by dozens of wasps, and I went into anaphylactic shock. I survived, and shortly after, I made a decision to make some major changes in my life.  Since then I have never looked back, and set myself on a path to be the best person I can. 

I have been married to my lovely wife, Heather, for almost 30 years. We moved here to Kelowna 11 years ago from Abbotsford, with our 3 children, Andrew, Sarah and Dave.  

Since then, Andrew has gotten married, to Ashley, and they have 2 children, Noah and Ezra. Sarah has been working with me for about 7 years. She did receive her real estate license, but is now working as my unlicensed assistant. Dave was working in real estate with us as well, but has recently moved to Vancouver with his fiancé, Jen. 

Heather and I have a dog named Sami. Some of my hobbies are spending time with my family, watching Canucks hockey and Golf, being out on the lake in the summertime, and vintage cars. I really enjoy studying the stars, the universe and physics. 

I am also a political junkie.  My political interest began when at the age of 10 in Camrose Alberta.  There I had the opportunity to meet, and shake the hand of, Premier Peter Lougheed. From that moment on, I grew to learn that that one individual can make a difference in this world. 

In the 2011 Federal Election I ran as an Independent Conservative Candidate in the Okanagan Coquihalla riding, and of course in the recent BC Provincial General Election, I ran as a candidate for the BC Conservatives. 

My record is that of a person who is well educated, a real

achiever who is not afraid to be innovative and take risks. 

I am loyal and committed to what is right, and to serving people whenever and wherever I am able. Even though I could have been held back by a challenging start to life, I have not let that hold me back from being the best person I can be. 

The reason I have chosen to run, in the Westside Kelowna by-election, is because our Province truly needs a Conservative government if we are to ever get out of the financial mess that the BC Liberals have put us in. 

It is not an easy task taking on a Premier, especially one who is as arrogant and cunning as the one we have now. 

Our province has been robbed from, lied too, and corrupted by this present Liberal government, but hopefully with new eyes on the situation, and the ability to speak first hand to it, they can finally be held to account. 

The BC Liberals have done a masterful job, of covering up their past, with a campaign that was paid for by the very taxpayers that are being deceived. I guess you could say we have sown the wind, and reaped to the whirlwind. Soon the chickens will come home to roost. 

Unfortunately it seems the media, in large part, are a big part of the problem. They have long passed the point of journalism and have been sold out to commercialism. The unbiased days of truth and fairness have been replaced with favoritism and greed, and the need to be populist instead realists. 

Am I being too honest?  

So I have chosen to run because I, like many BC Conservatives, am not under the “spell” of this agenda. 

I see my role in Victoria as one of fighting for truth in the midst of what Christy Clark herself has called a “sick” culture -- one I hope that a growing number of British Columbians will come to acknowledge as a role much in need of being filled. It certainly is not one that the NDP will take on, after all, they are as much a part of it, as the BC Liberals.

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. 

We should only do it if we have the gumption to say the BC Conservatives do have a future, and will be a 'strong' and 'viable' option for voters

Kelowna Westside MLA Ben Stewart to step
down.  Photograph:by Adrian Lam
(Victoria imes Colonist)

Following the announcement Christy Clark was preparing to call a by-election in the riding of Kelowna-Westyside (after the winning candidate, BC Liberal Ben Stewart, stepped down) I was asked if I thought the BC Conservative Party should run a candidate against her. 

I SAID YES!

I think we should --- we gave her a pass first time round when she ran to get a seat in legislature after becoming leader; she doesn't deserve another one 

She ran the BC Liberal Party, and the government, her way.  Her personal stamp was on everything.

On May 14th residents of Vancouver Point Grey said what they thought of that, and she lost.  BC Conservative will of course have to recognize the ever raising 'vote-split' arguement will rear its ugly head again -- that however should NOT be a consideration, and there will have to be a plan and strategy in place for that. 

AGAIN ... I think we should run a candidate ... and put every ounce of energy we can in to it.  We should only do it however if we have the gumption to say the BC Conservative Party does have a future, and will be a 'strong' and 'viable' option for voters to support.  That however is my personal opinion and others may not share it -- so be it.

Just so you know I'm willing to back up my beliefs, I have just made a $55 donation to BC Conservatives for the Kelowna campaign. 

Anyone else willing to show the party we still want to give BC a REAL choice .. a real alternative to BOTH the BC Liberals and the NDP?  Here's the link to go to: https://secure.bcconservative.ca/?f=donate

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

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)

Can you please tell me the differences between the Conservatives and the Liberals?

Differences?  Yes there certainly are differences, and not just
minor ones, between the BC Liberals and BC Conservatives

On Saturday I received an email from a resident of the North Thompson; they asked, “Can you please tell me the differences between the Conservatives and the Liberals?” 

I think if a number of BC Conservative supporters were asked that question, they likely would have a number of different answers. 

It is a good question, one the party should be considering, and I hope you will take a moment to see what I had the say in response to it: 

Hello Alan,


This is Robert S---, I am in the North Thompson riding. I emailed Peter Sharp before the election because his was the only email I found. I don't imagine it makes much difference at this time though.

I only started getting interested in politics this year because I am tired of voting a party out, not voting a party in, so I figured to try a third party, the Conservatives.

Can you please tell me the differences between the Conservatives and the Liberals, both being free enterprise parties.

Thank you,
Robert S.  


Good afternoon Robert ... thanks for getting in touch ...

WOW -- you have asked a big question; one that deserves a thoughtful response, and not necessarily one that all members would not be unified in stating. 

First I believe there are two distinct area where we differ from the BC Liberals; one we believe that political parties should be sponsored by individuals, not big business and big labour.  The BC Liberal Party has be steadfast in not supporting this, which is not hard to understand as they are supported to the tune of millions of dollars by big business.  Our position has now also been taken up by the NDP and Green Party, and is being pushed by Integrity BC. 

The question that needed asking was, "So where do the Conservatives go from here?"

It's conversation time again ... this time Alan and Allen ... as the question is asked of me, "What went wrong, and where do we go from here." 

These kinds of conversations are going on all over the province and so it would seem to me that there is much value to be gained from sharing thoughts, questions, and suggestions amongst each other. 

This then, is another of several I have had in recent days:

Hi, Alan,

I would be interested in your take on the election results.  It seems to me that John focused all his energy in attacking Christy Clark rather than the NDP, in expectation that she was vulnerable and the Conservatives could pick up Liberal seats.

Obviously, like the pollsters, he got it wrong. So where do the Conservatives go from here?


Hello again Allen, and thanks for your email ...

Boy there is sure a lot to look at and digest from the election.  The bottom line, in my opinion, is that we were strategically wounded last Summer and Fall, and the party and leadership were never able to recover.  The party tried to make several attempts to highlight positions of importance, that would make real positive change across the board to the people of BC, but the clamour we were spiraling down (fed by polls and media pundits) only re-enforced that we were not yet ready to govern.

That said, we now have the opportunity to build a strong party, and leadership at all levels will also need to be looked at; from the local CA level right to the top.

The beliefs and principles of our party ARE important, and we as BC Conservatives need to present our party as a clear alternative to the BC Liberals -- AND the NDP.  I hope that you will be encouraged to support our party, to perhaps take a step towards being part of the local CA Board, and to show others that BC Conservatives will have a message integrity and accountability in the platform and policies we will take to voters next time round.

Thanks again for getting in touch ... and have a great day ... 


Thanks, Alan, this is as I have expected. 

I do think that we were wounded, as you say, and I also supported our leader, but I hope that he will recognize the value of stepping aside and encouraging the search for a new leader. He did not seem to ever connect with the public, and it was not all the fault of the media. 

I think they gave him a fair opportunity to set forth his message as one of the four leaders. I also thought that the things he said, and the policies he set forth had opportunity to resonate with the electorate, but I believe his strategy was wrong, and his negativity towards Christy Clark backfired. 

The time to lick wounds is over --- the time to show we still BELIEVE in BC begins right now!

I

For those who have never met me (July 2012)

am cheating -- a bit -- with todays Conservative Thoughts blog post.  It's an email which I sent out to BC Conservative members in Kamloops South, part of the existing Kamloops South Thompson Constituency Association Board of Directors, some people who contacted us during the election campaign, or who are on my contact list of people from around the province ...

The other day I made a comment and post stating: "People may say they are concerned about the kind of representation (or lack of it) they are receiving -- but it seems we can be led to support a political party that paints the other as the lesser of two evils -- no matter what options may be available from choices available across the political spectrum. Thus, in my opinion, the momentum for the downward spiral continues ... "

It was the start to my first Conservative Thoughts post (http://kamloopsthompsonbcconservatives.blogspot.ca/2013/05/yes-i-am-disappointed-in-results-of.html), since taking a break over 11 weeks ago now, to be directly involved in the election campaign for the BC Conservatives in Kamloops South Thompson.  I also stated, in that post, that I did not want it to be considered sour grapes as it was NOT my intent; it was just my observation after watching all of the work and efforts put in by a number of great candidates and campaign workers, in individual riding's, right across the province.

I have been asked for my thoughts on why we were not able to connect with voters ... my thoughts on the campaign ... where we went wrong ... did we attack the Liberals (and / or the NDP) hard enough.  One of the best comments posed however, at least in my opinion, was as follows: "Define the ballot issue then define your opponent - a recipe for victory every time."

My response was:Again I can only speak for what we tried to do here in Kamloops ... that 'was' to define an issue which we felt everything else flowed from.

Specifically that issue was: "Do BC Liberal Todd Stone, or the NDPs Tom Friedman, have the full authority of both party / leader to truly represent the interest of the people of Kamloops South Thompson on issues of concern to them? Or when push came to shove, would they have to follow the party line?".  Whether it was hospital care, Ajax Mine, the Carbon Tax, new / increasing fees, rising debt, educational needs, or a multitude of other things, we wanted to know that answer, and felt that voters should as well. 

Call me Don Quixote, but I still believe it was the right question / issue to raise; it simply did not get heard ... and for whatever reason, it was not something which the media (which I was part of for 25 years) chose to ask and get a direct answer to.  In the end, this campaign again boiled down to 'fear' of one party over the other. That was, at least in my opinion, the only issue that defined this campaign.

Was I wrong?  Lots of people I am sure will think so, and there's nothing wrong with that.  There will likely be as many reasons why we lost, as there are individuals. 

Regardless however, we DID increase our popular vote.  People DO want our voice to be heard, and they DO want to have BC Conservatives on the ballot ... WE DO have a message that is important.

So now, we get down to the nitty-gritty. 

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.