That is NOT something Christy Clark will do -- it is however, something that Sean Upshaw is firmly committed to!

Where has he been you say (well some will be glad I've been away for awhile), but it has been a busy few weeks, and a few changes in where things are at.  

Regardless, with only a couple of days until the Westside - Kelowna by-election (voting takes place on Wednesday), I wanted to be sure I had at least one post online before hand.

Let me start by saying sometimes I get accused of being negative, when it comes to politics in BC.  Personally, I like to think that in reality that I point out areas of concern, and where improvement might be needed here in our province.

BC Conservative candidate Sean Upshaw
meets with voter on the streets of Westside
Kelowna to talk issues and concerns.

That said ... through the general election in BC, and having spent Saturday with campaign volunteers for BC Conservative candidate Sean Upshaw, I know that  people at the 'ground' level, no matter what party they are affiliated with, are sincere in wishing BC to be a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

I had a chance to say hello to a couple of workers for both the NDP and the BC Liberals while in Kelowna that day, and that just reaffirmed this.

So with that in mind, I'd like to send out 'Kudo's' to all who give of their time and energy. 

Meantime, BC Conservative Party candidate Sean Upshaw, in the Westside Kelowna by-election, will continue right up to election day hitting the doors steps of the riding. Sean is a 'local' candidate that wants to serve the people of the Kelowna, and he knows what that means ... meeting people wherever they are ... whether on the street, in a coffee shop, buying groceries, or on the doorstep. 

He wants to be a true representative to the people of his community, which is why he continually reminds himself that the word 'serv'e, is in Conservative. 

The BC Provincial election is over, the Liberals won a majority, and there is NO need to fear the BC NDP coming to power. 

Christy Clark lost her own riding -- and it is obvious that the people of Vancouver Point Grey were not at all pleased with how she 'represented' them.  They gave her a chance the first time in a by-election ... they saw how she served them ... and they chose to elect someone else they felt would better do the job. 

Looking back at the year 2011 – Conservative Thoughts – the Top 10

As I mentioned yesterday, since I began the Conservative Thoughts blog I have written and posted just under 350 articles.  I recently looked to see which ones had interested readers the most this year, and yesterday I posted the ones from #20 to #11 that had most interested you.

Today we’re counting down the stories and articles from ten to #1.  Following each of the headings, which have links to the full story, I will include a brief paragraph or two on what the story was about.

Here we go …

#10 Three points made by the BC Liberal Party are a beautiful display of spin-doctoring  … we begin with a story from early Fall … September 15th

… I have a HUGE smile on my face however because if the BC Liberals have already started this, they are obviously scared of what a common sense campaign of people powered policy is going to do to their "Top Down" style of government. Their first three points are a beautiful display of spin-doctoring starting with the pension issue …

#9 BC Conservatives will not be splitting the vote --- the BC Liberals are driving their supporters away … from May 30^th

… today I was puzzled but what appeared to be an acceptance of the Liberal mantra that that BC Conservatives are going to ‘split the vote’ … if you listen to Christy Clark and her Liberal MLA’s, it seems that their only reason for being, and why people should support them, is because ... “We’re not the NDP” … once believed in government reform by the grassroots … and that accountability, honesty, and responsibility to the voters was paramount …

I am waiting to see when the actual Families First policies start taking effect.

When Christy Clark announced she was running to become leader of the BC Liberals, and by extension, the premier of BC, her campaign focus was centered on a slogan of “Families First”.

Since then as all of us are aware, Christy Clark went on the win the leadership, become Premier, and to win election as an MLA in the riding of Vancouver Point Grey.

She is now the premier … she has announced her cabinet which includes Mary McNeil as the Minister of Children and Family development … and one would think work would be well on its way on the mandate she declared most important.

Let’s look at the word of Christy Clark … Mary McNeil … and the media; then you can decide if that priority is being met.

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.

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.

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.

If Clark loses, the results will be terminal for her, and the BC Liberals.

With the words, 'I don't think that British Columbian's want an unelected premier without a mandate,' Christy Clark set up the start for her return to the BC legislature – first though she'll actually need to win the by-election she's called for Vancouver Point Grey.

In calling the by-election for May 11, in the affluent riding of Vancouver Point Grey, which includes Kitsilano and UBC, Clark is challenging a 30-year tradition that has seen the party in government lose 17 straight by-elections. The last exception was in 1981 when Claude Richmond won in Kamloops for the Social Credit Party.

This week in BC Politics

It's Easter weekend and I'm sure folks will be busy with family and friends enjoying warm Spring weather – and Easter Celebrations.

Still however I suspect a few folks may wish to catch up on a few of the stories this week in BC politics ... and maybe check out a flashback or two as well. If you are one, the read on ...

Flashbacks: This week in B.C. political history - The Globe and Mail

15 years ago (April 17-23 /96) B.C. politicians resist Liberal HST push

25 years ago (April 17-23 /86) Judges question legality of new prostitution law

Jody Paterson: Grab the chance to change BC politics

Times Colonist April 22, 2011 ... These are glorious days for British Columbian's who enjoy politics. I'm not one of them, but I admit to being just a little excited to see some life coming back to the BC political scene...

This week in BC Politics

It’s the end of the week and time to take a look back at a few of the political stories that made the news this past week.  Sunday evening we’ll also find out who will be leading the provincial NDP into the next general election, which some people are now speculating may be held this Fall. 

So who will lead the NDP?  My guess is that it will be Mike Farnworth, although not because he is the most traditional of all the candidates.  Farnworth will be elected by members of the NDP because he is the most middle of the road candidate, and the one most likely to lead the party closer to Liberal policies. 

That being the case, again I ask the question – why do we need to have an NDP party when they could merge with the BC Liberals to become Liberal Democrats?

Anyway … enough of that … as mentioned, here are a few of the stories that made the news this week … along with a quick flashback to the past.

BC Lieutenant Governor responds in one day!

All I can say is WOW!  Yesterday I sent an email to the Lieutenant Governor of BC and I have received a reply in just one day. 

Last Spring / early summer I contacted my MLA’s office with regards to the HST and he never did get back to me.  I also tried the Ministry of Finance, and it took them 2 and a half months to send me a ‘cookie cutter’ response.

I have never had any kind of dealings with the office of the Lieutenant Governor before so I have nothing to compare this too – however I think it’s wonderful they responded that quickly.

I posted my question to the Lieutenant Govenor in a blog story earlier today entitled, What requirements are there for someone to be called / declared the Premier of BC?  If you are interested in the response I received then read on …  

Dear Mr. Forseth:

Your email of April 13, 2011, addressed to the Lieutenant Governor has been directed to me for attention and response.

Bill Tieleman comments on Vancouver Point Grey

In a story on Bill Tieleman blog, he states:

A research firm closely connected to the BC Liberals has been polling heavily in Vancouver-Point Grey, the riding where Premier Christy Clark confirmed Monday she will run in a by-election, likely by mid-May.  And 24 hours has exclusively obtained all the questions being asked last week, which show Clark is concerned about the upstart B.C. Conservatives under leadership candidate John Cummins, a former Conservative MP, and the Harmonized Sales Tax.

The story goes on to say ...

Vancouver Island University Professor Allan Warnke says Clark should be worried.

“John Cummins adds some credibility right away to the BC Conservatives,” he said, adding that the party's advisory group of former Reform MPs will also help.  "Randy White is a good organizer," Warnke noted.

But BC Conservative spokesperson Keith Roy says Cummins won’t run in Vancouver-Point Grey.  “We’re the biggest threat to their government right now,” he said. “I’d like to thank the BC Liberals for finally showing us some respect.”

To read the full story Click Here

Christy Clark has responsibilty to get elected as MLA for Vancouver Point Grey

BC Legislative Buildings

Christy Clark is not a member of the Legislature … she has the opportunity to become one

Christy Clark is not a MLA for any Constituency … she has the opportunity to run in one

No one can sit in the BC Legislature unless elected by the people … she has the opportunity

Dear Christy ... the legislation is NOT open to adjustment ... or interpretation.

Alan Forseth

Kamloops, BC

 March 24^th, 2011

Premier Christy Clark

BC Legislature

Victoria, BC

Dear Christy,

You do not know me, however consider me to be one of many like minded British Columbians, who have no appetite or desire for a provincial election.  Please take pity on us!

Michael Ignatieff and the rest of your Liberal friends and associates in Ottawa – and their buddies the NDP and Bloc -- already plan to send us to the polls AGAIN for the kuzillianth time in a few years.  Great – we get to vote in a federal election that will again change absolutely nothing; although perhaps the voters of Canada will have the last laugh on Ignatieff and give Steven Harper and the Conservative a majority government.

More on the ridings of Vancouver Point Grey, and Vancouver Quilchena

I'm busier than a one armed paperhanger this week so my apologies for not having a full blog story here today.  

Colin Hansen (l) and
Gordon Campbell (r)

That said however; the ongoing connections and coincidences in the the riding's of Vancouver Point Grey and Vancouver Quilchena ... continue to come together ... as do the intertwining of Gordon Campbell, Colin Hansen, and Christy Clark. 

If you read my story on Wednesday --- I invite you to now have a look at Bill Tielman's article on Gordon Campbell's Revenge.

Tomorrow the regular "This Week in BC Politics" returns ... see you then.

Liberal backstabbing and intrigue in Vancouver Quilchena … and Vancouver Point Grey

Yesterday (March 15^th) former BC Premier Gordon Campbell resigned his Vancouver Point Grey seat, in the BC Legislature, after nearly two decades of service.

In a release to the media, Gordon Campbell stated, “It has been an honour to serve the people of British Columbia as an MLA, as the leader of the Opposition, and as premier.”

"There are few things more rewarding than serving in public life and I feel fortunate to have had such an opportunity to do so for nearly three decades in a province and a city that I love."

In 1994 Gordon Campbell originally won the Vancouver Quilchena riding in a by-election (with nearly 68% of the vote) after Art Cowie resigned for him in November of 1993. Thus begins a tale in intrigue, and backstabbing, that continues today.