BC Politics This Week

Extra, Extra … read all about it.  This is the week that was in BC Political news … well some of the stories anyway.  Have a great weekend and I’ll be back again on Monday …

B.C. Premier Clark narrowly avoids political disaster with by-election win
Ms. Clark said earlier this week that a win would be a win, dismissing Mr. Eby’s suggestion she would have to match Gordon Campbell’s results for a true victory.

How quickly Christy Clark has forgotten her radio host roots

Not that long ago, Christy Clark the radio host would have had a field day with Christy Clark the politician.

Cummins thinks B.C. Conservatives can win

There's a big whack of votes out there that are going to come to the BC Conservatives, said Cummins. We have a good chance of forming government after the next election.

Could it be that what they actually want is MORE equality, more rights, than others??

I was part way through a conversation with someone who does not hold the same political beliefs as I do, when it struck me that common sense crosses all political beliefs – at least it should.  Here is part of the conversation we had:

Friend … Unfortunate reaction to your leaders' comments on gays/lesbians on protection in BC Human Rights Act.  I understand whether he was coming from but hopefully this issue won't have "legs".

Me … It’s a NON issue as far as I'm concerned ... bugs the CRAP out of me that every person that thinks they MAY be part of some minority group wants some SPECIAL protection --- each of us already is/ has equal protection under the law ... is it that they want EXTRA protection and if so why / what makes them more important than me.

Friend … I agree but these groups squeak loudly and thus politicians are forced to listen.  A shame though but a political truth.  Same goes for speaking on local ( xyz )  issues here - not allowed to speak the truth but a lesser form of the truth.

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.

Vancouver Point Grey -- will Christy win?

A few weeks back I conducted a very non-scientific poll on whether or not Christy Clark would win election tonight.  The results showed that 56% believed she would not.  We'll find out soon.

The HST makes for great news if nothing else

It's election day in Vancouver Point Grey, and BC Premier Christy Clark is hoping to have success in the polls with a by-election victory.

We'll be having another vote soon with the HST, which has been in the news now for two years.  With that in mind, here are the words of Christy Clark regarding the HST ... along with many others well know in BC politics. 

Christy Clark (Leadership bid announcement – December 2010) … describing the HST as "fatally flawed from the outset" and saying the Liberals could "put the HST behind us" with a free vote on the floor of the legislature by the March 31 end of the current financial year.

Christy Clark (CBC News  - August 2009) … it was "sneaky" of the Campbell government to announce the HST after the May provincial election … it seems impossible the tax wasn't contemplated before the spring ballot.  "I just don't think it's possible that that could be the case"

Much more is at stake in the by-election than simply filling a seat

Tomorrow, Wednesday May 11^th, voters in Vancouver Point Grey go to the polls in a by-election ... a by-election to replace former premier Gordon Campbell, who resigned the seat just two short months ago.

But ... much more is at stake in the by-election than simply filling a seat. The reality is that the 41,181 voters in that riding will be passing judgement, for the rest of us, on the political future of Christy Clark -- and the BC Liberal Party.

The provinces best hope for legislative reform, and accountability, would come about through a John Cummins led BC Conservative government

Oh be still my beating heart – I don't know if I can take all the excitement of the current legislative assembly.

One of the few successes however, at least in my opinion, would be Bob Simpson, an independent MLA from my old neck of the woods ... the Cariboo. I suspect that if Bill Bennett could be welcomed back to the Liberal caucus, then the door would have been open as well for Bob to return to the NDP.

He has stated however, “I believe that as an Independent MLA I'm better able to serve my constituents, as my time is 100% dedicated to serving the people of Cariboo North. I'm also able to advocate for policies and programs which will benefit all British Columbian's, free from the constraints of affiliation with a political party or ideology.”