The B.C. NDP deserves criticism. But the reassembly of the disassembled B.C. Conservative Party offers little confidence that it is ready to govern. Let the Conservatives first demonstrate that they can manage their own party with a measure of cohesion and discipline. Only then can they credibly claim to be prepared to govern an entire province.
In what may prove to be one of the greatest misjudgments in the modern history of politics in British Columbia, David Eby chose to call a provincial election. The fact that campaigns for BC’s quadrennial local elections were already underway mattered little to the NDP leader. Four ministers, including future NDP leader Ravi Kahlon, have decided not to remain on Eby’s sinking ship.
As dissatisfaction spreads within the NDP, doubts about Eby’s political judgment and electoral appeal will deepen. Unless he reverses the government’s decline, pressure for a leadership change will not merely grow; it may become irresistible well before 2028.
I have never liked the left-right, straight line concept of a political spectrum. I prefer to think of a u-shaped curve that moves from progressive to reactionary, with extremes of both sides sharing similar ideas. Canadian political parties are largely positioned on the same side of the horseshoe.
My conclusion is that the BC NDP wants to do good things, but lacks the courage needed to achieve progressive goals. The party seems to believe that issuing a press release about a policy objective is just about as good as achieving that goal. BC NDP has not published a platform as August 21. I will update this page when they do.
So BC taxpayers currently paying close to $3 billion a year in carbon tax must result in lower production of natural gas, right? Maybe not.
The NDP’s Selina Robinson situation has been a subject of much debate in recent days. It began when the Coquitlam-Maillardville MLA and Advanced Education Minister made controversial statements in a late-January forum hosted by B’nai Brith.,,
For years, informed commentators without a partisan interest or a financial stake in construction of Site C argued for alternative energy projects. BC New Democrats and BC Hydro were disinterested in lower cost production of electricity generated close to where it is consumed. Many of us are certain we know why.
Beyond matters of NDP policies that could easily be those of the BC Liberal party, Appadurai unloaded on Elizabeth Cull and NDP insiders for bias, hostility, unfairness, and back-dating of rules. A few days ago, I wrote The fix was in and Appadurai confirms it. Elizabeth Cull may have been conducting the fix, but the goal was established by the NDP’s Provincial Executive that appointed her.
GUEST POST – Appadurai, a climate and environmental activist, was running to draw attention to how BC NDP government climate policy and actions were deep brown – even though climate change is an emergency and getting worse.
Cull said the David Eby Campaign filed a complaint regarding violations of applicable law. Cull also wrote that Appadurai had obligations under British Columbia’s Election Act. The objective was to convince people that Ms. Appadurai was a scofflaw unworthy of holding a senior political position. Except the Election Act did not apply.
The activities of groups and individuals promoting preferred candidate David Eby were acceptable, while those working for Anjali Appadurai were, in the words of Elizabeth cull, “engaged in serious improper conduct.”
Instead of giving up power to climate activists, NDP leaders are more likely to drive them out of the party. There remains a chance Anjali Appadurai will not be allowed to run for NDP leadership. People joining the party are required to make a declaration of support for party policies and principles of John Horgan’s NDP. The climate activist and her followers seem to oppose both.
New owners took over The Georgia Straight two years ago. That quickly led to changes that are not reader-friendly. However, their website still offers useful commentary and is particularly worth visiting when Martyn Brown’s work appears. His latest column is a critique of a person often seen and heard in BC media…
A group of naive people believe that John Horgan’s departure will result in an open contest by which party members will elect a leader. But BC’s New Democratic Party is not democratic. Relatively few insiders control the party’s provincial executive, and they determine how leadership is decided…
John Horgan’s five years as Premier will cap a 30-year career in provincial politics. While current opinion polls show satisfaction with his leadership, history will discount the blarney and examine the achievements…
People professing to be former BC NDP supporters say they stopped financial contributions and/or resigned after disagreeing with policies imposed by party leaders. I trust many of these statements are true but wondered if financial reports filed with Elections BC offer evidence of growing NDP donor reluctance…
The 2017 BC NDP platform promised, “The people of BC must get a fair return for our resources.” The pledge was immediately dropped when the NDP took power…
Shortly after June 30, 2017, John Horgan revealed his true self and buried BC NDP political perspectives alongside its principles. He is duplicating BC Liberal policies in important matters.
An In-Sights reader identifies the true winners in British Columbia’s October 24 election.
Once the "moral majority" decided that it didn't have any responsibility for large chunks of society, it became quite acceptable…
Impossible tasks? Build a ready-to-operate hospital in 6 days? China did it. Twice. Move ocean water to the Gobi Desert…
r Just read your link to a very detailed Richmond News report. For the NDP faithful this mindless LNG embroglio…
F Forensic audit. Under oath. Full disclosure of who granted approval of so many absurd giveaways and why any bureaucrat…
Hi Norm, I think you might find this book review, from the New York Review of Books, interesting. I think…