Mark us down as disappointed – but not surprised.
We were all pretty much expecting a No vote in the transit plebiscite. The only question was how resounding that No was going to be.
And, with nearly 62 per cent of voters sending in their No votes, we’d have to say that’s a pretty loud response.
The trouble for political leaders now is deciphering exactly what that No vote means.
Was it a No vote based on the unwillingness – or, in some cases, the genuine inability – to pay more taxes? (Let’s face it, asking anyone if they would voluntarily agree to pay more tax for anything is kind of a no-brainer for a negative response. Who’s actually going to say, ‘Sure, I’d love to pay more tax, thanks for asking!’)
Was it a No vote based on a distrust in TransLink and its perceived mismanagement and mishandling of taxpayer funds?
Was it a No vote based on the belief that transit and transportation in the region is actually doing more or less OK and that massive change is unnecessary?
Was it a No vote based on the belief that transit and transportation in the region is so completely and irredeemably messed up that we’d be wise not to spend more money on it?
Was it a No vote based on general grumpiness and dissatisfaction with political leaders of all kinds?
You get where we’re going with this.
Anyone who claims that the No vote is a victory for anything at all – for democracy or for taxpayers or for common sense or whatever other phrases you’re going to hear bandied about over the next few days – has another think coming.
A No vote, without any attached analysis and interpretation, tells us absolutely nothing about where the problem lies – or, more critically, what to do about it.
Which is where political leadership needs to come in – because, quite frankly, it was a failure in leadership that got us to this point in the first place.
Yes, Premier Clark, we’re looking at you. An issue as fundamental and as critical to the future of the region as transportation had no business being subjected to the whims of a popular vote in the first place.
What the premier needs to do now is what she should have done in the first place: Work with her transportation ministry, local governments and TransLink to find a way to fund the 10-year transportation plan – not turn it into a political football to be tossed around till the next election.
Over to you, Premier Clark. Your voters deserve real action – and fast.
