Both of these men (Peckford and White) bring a huge amount of experience to this important election preparedness position

I was delighted to hear an announcement today, from BC Conservative Party leader John Cummins.

Brian Peckford, announced to BC Conservative Party "Issues"
Management" committee in preparation for 2013 Provincial Election

Randy White, previously a British Columbia Member of Parliament, Caucus Chairman and House Leader - and Brian Peckford, the former Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador -- have both been named as Co-Chairs of a newly-created Issues Management Committee.

They will be looking at issues and policies for the party, as it prepares for the up-coming General Election in May of next year.

The media release from Mr. Cummins noted that:

Randy White first won election to Canada’s House of Commons in 1993, representing Langley and Abbotsford , and he was re-elected in 1997, 2000 and 2004. He wrote the legislation for the National Sex Offender Registry and the National Victims Bill of Rights both of which are, in part, law today.

Brian Peckford served as a Conservative Member in Newfoundland’s House of Assembly from 1972 until 1989. He held a number of posts in the provincial cabinet from 1974 to 1979, and then was Premier for a decade before leaving elected politics for the private sector.

Former MP Randy White - on new BC
Conservative Party committee

Both of these men bring a huge amount of experience to this important election preparedness position, and will be well able to advise the party during the lead-up to next May’s campaign. 

As John Cummins said:

“I am thrilled that Randy and Brian – who between them held senior public office for 30 years – have agreed to play important roles on our campaign team.  Their knowledge and experience will be invaluable in electing a Conservative government next May.”

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

The argument of last resort … the one of desperation … “Don’t split the vote”

Randy White speaking to BC Conservatives

The Saturday, Parksville Qualicum News had a story from writer Neil Horner;  one he had written after spending time in an interview with former Reform MP Randy White. 

With Randy Whites reform background, the following observation from Mr. Horner came as no surprise to me:

Like the NDP, he (Randy White) said, the B.C. Conservatives have come to a point where they can no longer act as a protest vote, but rather, must come across as a government in waiting.

Randy White also commented on vote splitting during the interview say;

“The people have lost confidence of the people, so in desperation, what you have is Liberal supporters saying we are splitting the vote, in an effort to hang on at any cost, but it’s not going to happen for them. It’s just not there. The days are gone where you can scare someone into voting for you.”

Reporter Tom Fletcher posted a link, on Facebook, to the Parksville Qualicum Beach News story – and included this quote from Randy White:

“I had some surprising calls over Christmas and I can say with some assurance it is very likely the Conservatives will be a party in the legislature before the next election.  I think there are enough disgruntled members in their caucus and I don’t know if Christy Clark can hold all that together.”

That led someone to ask … “Are they actively promoting an NDP government or are they so sure there is going to be one that they've moved on to competing with the Liberals for who comes next as right of centre?”

Here is what I believe … even without the emergence of the John Cummins led BC Conservatives, Christy Clark's Liberals would have lost the next election. 

I ask you; by comparison, what do the BC Liberals and the BC NDP stand for?

I like Facebook, although I will admit I spend far too much time there.  I like it because it gives me the opportunity to share and exchange all kinds of ideas with people from all across the political spectrum ... and you should see my Friends list :D

Why am I starting the blog comment, this way, you ask?  

Well last night a friend posted a comment saying, “Thanks for the call BC Liberals but no you won’t be getting a donation from me. Those days are over.”

At which point I promptly said, “… should have asked them to sign up with BC Conservatives. I suspect the call results aren't going that well and maybe they'd want to check us out :D”

Then someone else made a comment that I found interesting … especially as I have been involved in the party and following its growth now for a little over a year.  This person said, “Can't say I've heard piles from either party lately that makes me want to donate to either one, actually.”

That tells me there is still a big job ahead … and that there are still many people are out there waiting to find out what the BC Conservatives stand for, and why they should support them ... whether as a member ... with financial support ... in spreading the word ... being an active member working to build membership ... a director on a constituency association ... or perhaps even consider seeking a nomination to run for the party.

I wrote this person back … and here is what I had to say:

It's been a great Summer --- but now it's time to get back to work!!

For starters, I'd like to pass along a news story of another very experienced MP who will be seeking the nomination to run in the next provincial election under the BC Conservative banner --- it's Paul Forseth from New Westminster.  He sat as an MP for the Reform Party, Canadian Alliance, and Conservative in Ottawa between 1993 and 2006.

He joins another former Reform MP, Jim Hart who has also declared that he plans to seek a BC Conservative nomination --- and of course our party leader John Cummins.  From municipal ranks, provincial ranks, and federal ranks, we are assembling a great team of people that will be running as candidates-- and who will help guide us in the next provincial election.

This Week in BC Politics

It's the end of the week, and what a week it was!  Monday was awesome with Harper’s Conservative finally achieving majority government … and of course BC had its own share of political stories.  Some of these you may have missed … and some perhaps not.  So without further adieu, here is the week that just was in BC politics.

HST has been vastly oversold in B.C.,report finds

Tax will give only a modest boost to the economy while creating less than a quarter of the jobs predicted, government-appointed panel says ...

BC Conservatives ready for an election

If the response to this Saturday's fundraising dinner is any indication, the BC Conservative Party has a bright future in the area, says Randy White. The former Reform Party MP is helping to organize the …

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

BC Conservatives; a chance to “give BC a common sense choice” ... and a “principled choice”



Former Conservative MP John Cummins announces
leadership bid for the BC Conservative Party



I like what the Globe and Mail had to say this afternoon, following John Cummins announcement that he plans to seek the leadership of the BC Conservative Party. They said;

Freshly resigned former Tory MP John Cummins has announced his candidacy for the leadership of the B.C. Conservatives … the veteran politician … told dozens of cheering supporters in Vancouver he wants to give B.C. voters a real choice between the governing BC Liberals and the Opposition New Democrats.

Personally, I too am glad that he has chosen to seek the leadership for a number of reasons. First he brings a wealth of political knowledge with him to the job, something that has been missing from the leadership of most political parties trying to break the Liberal / NDP swing.

John Cummins to lead the BC Conservatives -- deals a blow to Christy Clark's Liberals

Former MP
John Cummins

This morning at a news conference in Vancouver, former Conservative MP John Cummins announced his intentions to lead the BC Conservatives. Cummins is the first to announce his intentions to seek the leadership, and will give the party a real boost in public – and in the media.

John Cummins first ran federally as a Reform Party candidate in 1988, but was not elected until 1993 when he went to Ottawa as the MP for Delta. He won re-election each time since then through the transition of the Reform Party to the Canadian Alliance – and then the Conservative Party.

A look at his biography shows a man that in 1988 earned an M.A. from University of British Columbia ... and who received a B.A. from University of Western Ontario in 1966.

Stockwell … remember the early days of the Reform Party, what they stood for, and why they came about

Conservative MP
Stockwell Day

In the late 80's I heard about this group of people wanting to see change in Canadian politics -- I found out they were part of a group of people called the Reform Party.  After looking into what they believed and stood for, I became a member of what was developing as a grassroots political party.  I have followed the transition through the Alliance Party, and through to the Conservative Party and have continued my support, although currently I am not a member of the federal Conservative Party.

Back all those years ago the Reform Party would have died on the vine if supporters with vision like Preston Manning, had not said, this party needs to be there for Canadians, and this party can and will bring about change.  Vote splitting was no less a concern then, and yet the early first members, and those who ran to be Members of Parliament (MP's), became part of the process to see government done differently.

The only “rats” are one that deliberately and maliciously spread poison.

Given the fact that British Columbians overwhelming indicated, late last Fall, that they were tired of politics as usual, I have to say I am amazed that anyone else (or numerous others) would continue on the same track just months later.  Have those who aspire to lead us not learned anything from how the Liberal Party has failed to provide accountability and honesty?

This is why over the weekend I was appalled to see a story posted in a blog that I believe was intentionally misleading and inaccurate.

As in most blogs, the opportunity to post a response was provided, which I did (see my comment below the following story).  Regrettably, the blogs author chose to not post my reply, and so I would like to let you know what I had to say in response.  Please note my comment was posted at 7:28am on February 19^th.  I will leave up to you to decide why the comments I had to make were not get posted as of this going online two days later at 4:30am (Monday).

This Week in BC Politics

It’s the weekend, and I'm off to Vancouver at 4:30 Saturday morning to attend a meeting of the BC Conservative Party … sure hope the rest of you got to sleep in.  As always, another interesting week in BC politics, including this first letter / comment from the Williams Lake Tribune, written by Independent MLA Bob Simpson:

Your next premier is brought to you by …
Recent events in BC should give us pause to consider if it's now past time we put a stop to the influence corporations have on our political process by ...

Also this week we saw the resignation of Alberta Premier Stelmach, and you will find a story on that further below.  So read on and refresh your self on some of the stories that made the news this week.  Just click on the title to go to the full story:

Plenty left for both leaderships
... it's going to be fascinating to watch …..  

This Week In BC Politics ...

Greetings and I hope your weekend is going well.  There’s never a slow day when it comes to politics in BC, and as you will note the BC Conservative Party has received a lot of ink this past week.  Here are a few stories you may have missed and will want to read … or perhaps you have read them already and just want to refresh yourself.  (click the article title to get the full story):

Cummins dismisses BC Liberal leadership race

Cummins support for the fledgling BC Conservative Party which he joined a year ago has ... to people who he believes have given up on the Liberals and NDP ...

BC politics is gearing up for its YouTube moment

On the flip side of the spectrum there is also the potential for a new centre left party should the Liberals implode. British Columbia New Democratic Party ...

Island of Conservatives

Former Reform Party member Randy White speaks during Saturday's business …

BC Liberal leadership race suffering from vision vacuum

Eventually, suggesting to voters that they have a direct say in what happens in a provincial capital catches up to a government, whose political interests …

“Promises, promises ... that's all I ever get”

I don't know whether to laugh or cry each day as I listen to the candidates seeking the leadership of the BC Liberal Party.  Family Day ... 16 year old voters ... more consultation with voters ... raising the minimum wage ... family friendly policies … and on and on it goes.

I was going to write something on this; however two great editorials have been written and so instead I would like to direct you to what they have already said this week. First of all, from Gary Mason of the Globe and Mail ...

BC Liberal leadership race suffering from vision vacuum

British Columbians are ecstatic these days. The candidates running for the leadership of the governing Liberal Party are vowing to get rid of hated taxes and add more holidays. They’re vowing to bring the public inside cabinet, consult with it like never before.

Pretty soon, BC truly will be “The best place on Earth,” just like its tourism motto says.

If elected, George Abbott will hold “regional caucus meetings,” “telephone town halls” and regular “accountability sessions” with voters. Mike de Jong has vowed a “leadership roundtable” to solicit the views of municipal and regional district leaders. The maxim of Kevin Falcon’s campaign is “listen, learn, lead.”

Christy Clark has promised to hold 12 town-hall meetings with British Columbians in her first year in office and share information with the public as “soon as problems are identified.” (Love that one). Moira Stillwell, meantime, has also promised to bring British Columbians into the decision-making process and add greater transparency to the workings of government.

It all sounds so wonderful, doesn’t it? And sadly predictable and unoriginal ...................

Then from Brian Hutchison at the National Post comes a response to George Abbotts strange campaign slogan of “The People are coming” ... along with a reminder of the many things that have sent the BC Liberal Party reeling in recent months ...

"... politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians"

Charles de Gaulle once said, "I have come to the conclusion that politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians" … and I am inclined to agree.  Given the proliferation of political parties in BC in recent years, here is something else that he said that seems to fit with our provincial politics, “How can you govern a country which has two hundred and forty-six varieties of cheese?”

Before I continue today though, I have to anonymously give credit to a friend who sparked the idea of finding those quotes.  Thanks “D”

Okay, back to politics is too serious to be left to the politicians; isn’t that the very reason why over a decade and a half ago the provincial and federal Reform Parties said that elected representatives had to actually be accountable to the people that had elected them, or be subject to being fired by the voters.

I want to say that I do not agree with how recall is currently being used in BC given the fact that we are going to have opportunity to vote on whether the HST is going to be dumped -– and also because the BC NDP seem to be heavily involved in the Fight HST process. 

Having the opportunity, and a process in place, to initiate recall however is valuable to voters in BC (and should be available elsewhere) because politicians and political parties are inclined to say almost anything to get elected.  I believe that between elections, and when there is no other way to stop government and MLA actions that the majority of voters disagree with, recall is a valuable tool that should be used.

Politics This Week (Jan 2nd - 8th, 2010)

Again this week there were a lot of interesting stories around politics in Victoria … and around the province with the BC Conservatives, the Liberals, and the NDP.  Here’s just a snapshot of some of the stories that made the news this past week …

Gender quota makes BC NDP seem ridiculous -- National Post

Predictably, this affirmative-action provision has come back to bite the NDP in its political buttocks. The resulting publicity has made the party appear …

Valley Conservatives to pick MLA candidate after March -- Canada.com

By Spencer Anderson, Comox Valley Echo January 7, 2011 The BC Conservatives are set to face off against Comox Valley MLA Don McRae in the next election …

NDP’s ‘renewal’ is going nowhere in this leadership race -- Globe and Mail

When 13 members of the BC New Democratic Party caucus decided to take out leader Carole James in a holiday-season coup, they insisted it was nothing