Sorry Dix but I call BS on that

In two weeks (April 17^th), the BC NDP will be holding a leadership vote at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

In a media release NDP Provincial Secretary Jan O'Brien said that, "British Columbian's are ready for a change from the reckless policies of the BC Liberals... and we're looking forward to a competitive leadership election ... we will ensure that this leadership election is run in a fair, transparent, and accessible manner."

To that end, the NDP have appointed former BC Chief Electoral Officer Harry Neufeld as an independent third party auditor. Neufeld is BC's former Chief Electoral Officer and head of Elections BC.

About the NDP themselves, political scientist Norman Ruff says, "They have to get British Columbian's to trust them with the reins of power ... but they realize the Liberals are once again trying to continue that branding (trust) and the three major contenders (Dix, Farnworth, and Horgan) realize to some extent they are vulnerable if that branding continues to be successful."

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

Let me be the first to say it … “May the best man, or woman, of what ever ethnic background, win.”

The race is well underway now in both the Liberal and NDP camps to elect a new leader … one who for the Liberals will automatically become Premier --- and for the NDP, one who will be leader of the opposition.

As you will recall the NDP recently were the butt of numerous jokes over their party policy which requires that at least one of the top 3 positions in the party must be held by a woman,  With the President and Treasurer both being men, that pretty much left the party leaders position open.

So the party of social justice and gender equality has how many women running?? Hmmmmm, let’s see there’s ……………… no one.  6 guys are running to be leader of the New Democrats --- although to give them credit one candidate, Fraser Nicola MLA Hari Lali was born in India.

So that leaves then the Liberal party as the party of social and gender equality – right?  Well they too have 6 people running – and although two are female – none appear to be from any kind of minority.

BUT, is that how any political party should be selecting and electing a leader?  What has happened to the principle that we should be electing the best person for the job?  Disagree if you want, but having quotas, or perceived ideas about the type of person that should be running flies in the face of democracy.