Nothing else can, or will, save them before defeat in 2013 … even with a Leadership change

Steve Forseth, former BC Liberal
Policy Chair / Riding Secretary
for the Cariboo - Chilcotin

My nephew Steve, has been a blogger for several years now, and has been active in support of the BC Liberal Party – it makes for some interesting discussion on politics for sure. 

The other day I asked if he would be interested in providing a Guest Opinion for the Conservative Thoughts blog, which after consideration, he agreed to do.  Here then, is that guest editorial.

Over the last year or so, much has been made about the so-called vote split for the ‘Conservative’ voter in BC. 

In times past, most conservative voters (small-c, ‘Blue’ and ‘Red’ Tories) provincially have aligned themselves behind the ‘BC Liberal’ brand,  Recently however, small-c conservatives have become rapidly disillusioned with the Christy Clark BC Liberals’, and a fair number of them have decided to back the John Cummins BC Conservatives’. 

It should be noted that the split of small ‘c’ conservatives in Alberta has led to the formation of two conservative political parties in Alberta consisting of the Wildrose Party and the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta

Political history in BC during the 1952, 1972, 1991, and 1996 BC General Elections shows that a split on the centre-right in BC generally elects a NDP government

Much has been made recently of the two by-elections in Port Moody and Chilliwack, including what would have occurred if the centre-right vote had been behind one party. 

Let’s be clear – one conservative party in the Port Moody – Coquitlam by-election would have made no difference, given the strength of the NDP candidate, former Port Moody Mayor Joe Trasolini ... but it could have prevented the election of an NDP MLA in Chilliwack – Hope.

So what does the future of conservatives in BC hold?

By-Election coverage in the news today

It’s Election Day in two riding's in British Columbia, as the polls opened at 8am in Port Moody Coquitlam … and Chilliwack Hope.  Here’s a quick snapshot of stories that have been in the papers this morning:

BC byelections under way: Conservatives say they're in the mix with Liberals, NDP

If Conservative candidate John Martin wins, it will bring John Cummins's party one step closer to official status in the legislature and could tempt more dissatisfied Liberal MLAs to join John van Dongen on the other side of the floor with the Tories.

A Liberal win, meantime, would provide some much-needed good news for Premier Christy Clark, who has had to face a string of public-opinion polls that suggest her party and leadership are in real trouble.

Clark braces for by-election results

Premier Christy Clark plans an election-day visit to Port Moody today, but she won't be attending victory parties there or in Chilliwack tonight.

With the surging B.C. Conservative Party making a close three-way race in Chilliwack-Hope, Clark continued to stress keeping the "free-enterprise coalition" together. And she allowed that she is aware of merger discussions going on at the constituency level.   "I will certainly be leading this free-enterprise party," Clark said

Which of course means both candidates for the BC Liberal Party could not be bothered …

BC Liberal candidates mum on issues important to voters in
Chilliwack Hope, and Port Moody Coquitlam by-elections

Several weeks back Integrity BC asked the candidates running in the by-elections for Port Moody – Coquitlam … and Chilliwack – Hope, to answer a short questionnaire.  

It was designed to provide important information on where each candidate, and party, stood on issues important to the people of the riding's.

I am delighted that both candidates for the BC Conservative Party (Christine Clarke in Port Moody – Coquitlam … and John Martin in Chilliwack – Hope), took the time to provide answers to the questionnaire. 

Only one other, Gwen O'Mahony who is running for the NDP in Chilliwack – Hope, also did so.  Which of course means both candidates for the BC Liberal Party could not be bothered.

Here are the questions which were asked in the questionnaire:

It's absolutely insulting, to the intelligence and integrity of BC voters, to suggest that we have to support the Liberals

The political landscape of BC continues to be the focus of those in the mainstream media, following the defection Liberal Abbotsford South MLA John van Dongen, to the BC Conservative Party.

It also has, I believe, given even greater cause for the BC Liberal Party to wonder on their future with the voters of BC – and their chances in the up-coming by-elections – especially Chilliwack Hope.

For weeks, prior to the writ being dropped, the BC Liberal Party was pouring funding announcements into the riding, spending a lot of advertising dollars, and also putting up campaign signs (in direct contravention of a municipal by-law in Chilliwack).

The campaign was on, and their team was in place.  John van Dongen’s decision to join John Cummin’s BC Conservative Party has dramatically changed that however, and it has caused them to add a new face to the team. 

This morning, Keith Baldrey of Global News posted the following on Twitter:
“Long-time MP Chuck Strahl to chair BC Lib campaign in Chilliwack-Hope byelection. Definite boost to the party, but will it be enuf?”

I replied:

“@keithbaldrey if waited till now 2 become part of campaign,just shows very shaky chances of win”

Here’s another comment that was posted earlier today on Twitter, from Dean Skoreyko‏@bcbluecon, to which I also posted a response:

“Strahl, Day, Hill and Manning support of Christy Clark helped her become 2nd last in Canadian premier ratings”

Alan Forseth‏@AlanForseth

“hope she keeps that up, just wallpapering rotting walls & foundation of #bclibs”

Can the BC Liberal Party save itself from a wipe-out in the next BC general election?

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 Cummins and the BC Conservative Party are indeed, “moving prudently” … and I too believe “he’s right”

Late last week I wrote the following words:

Oh good grief ... why oh why did I ever even consider looking at something A___  T___ had written ... it has been months since "I" let him get my blood boiling. Argghhhh!  Is the reason he hates the BC Conservatives, almost as much as the NDP, because he didn't get a personal invitation to share all of his political acumen with the party??

One person posed the question, “Interesting point - I wonder if that is the case with him?”

Another said, “A___ passed his "best-before" date years ago.  Bitter, bitter man.”

Meantime, someone with an ounce (or is that a milligram?) of smarts, that wasn’t reading him, said, “What did he write this time?”

A___ T ___ wrote the following I said; "The problem is the continuing gong show that has become the BC Conservative Party. Missed opportunities on various issues lately and their mixed messaging on the by-elections has given rise to rumors that their ascension may have stalled..."

To which I responded, “It would be nice if he'd either say nothing at all, or look at the people making the decision and give them some credit for having some political smarts”.  Well a reply was not long in showing up that brought my blood pressure down a NOTCH OR TWO:

The weeks news from BC’s wonderful wild and wacky world of politics

Things are continuing to heat up, and get interesting, in BC’s wonderful wild and wacky world of politics.  Without any further ado, let’s get to some of the stories that have made the news … in a big way … and some that perhaps should have …

That’s Christine Clark — no, not Christy — running for B.C. Conservatives in Port Moody by-election

… a devoted conservative, who believes strongly in smaller government and lower taxes as the path to a healthy economy … running because she believes British Columbians deserve a representative in Victoria who will fight to keep taxes low, work to find creative solutions to issues in health care and take back education from union bosses, placing it instead in the hands of parents and school boards … has a wide range of experience, both as a manger and as an entrepreneur …  specializes in the business side of technology and education … proven an effective negotiator, and an analytical, impartial and proactive decision maker and problem solver …

Success of B.C. NDP Leader Dix has Liberals firing blanks

… the just-concluded legislative session showed a different Mr. Dix than many expected. He was measured, pointed in his criticism, supportive of Liberal legislation that made sense, and effective … performance frustrated those on the government benches, who had hoped to contrast a personable Premier against a dour Mr. Dix. It didn’t happen … the Liberals were left railing against a long-ago misdating of a key memo … a serious mistake he has acknowledged many times  …

Michael Smyth: Critics question Trasolini’s motives

 … He was particularly pally with another local Lib by the name of Christy Clark … co-chaired Clark’s 1996 election campaign in Port Moody. She returned the favour by backing him for mayor … If Joe was going to make the jump to provincial politics, everybody assumed it would be as a Liberal …  now that Trasolini has burned his Liberal bridges, the Libs want to burn him but good….

Cummins: Increased deficit demonstrates Liberal government unable to set funding priorities

“… priorities should be maintaining and improving services such as CLBC, sheriffs and education – not these pet projects of the Premier.”  The increase to the deficit undermines the Liberal commitment to balance the budget by 2013/14. While Minister Falcon has stated that it is still possible for the government to meet its target, he has failed to provide a substantive plan for doing so and is backing away from the Liberal’s promise to achieve it.

Clark could roll the dice on spring election

… Christy Clark, gave Penner a hug, and then told reporters his resignation actually might be a good thing for the Liberals. "People want to see us renew.  They want to see some new people come to the table with new ideas, It's an opportunity for us, frankly." … why would you want to "renew" one of your best MLAs, in one of your party's safest seats? … other Liberal MLAs wondering just what the premier was getting at, and there are rumours some of them might be encouraged to retire, so Clark can move those new people and new ideas into position in by-elections...