It is perhaps ironic that even candidates who run under a party banner, often insist that their sole purpose in getting into office is to fight for wee New Westminster.
We're never sure of what this exactly means. It probably goes without saying, but, we can't remember a New Westminster MLA voting against, or even speaking against, a party-led change or policy when their government has been in power.
Perhaps the most obvious example of this in recent memory was when Joyce Murray, the Liberal MLA for New Westminster, toed the line on closing St. Mary's Hospital. Her constituents were adamant that it not be closed, and the hospital's record of exceptional service and specialization, made it an essential health service in the city. But Murray ignored local wishes and got in line with her government. That stance pretty much ensured the Liberals would be shut out of the next few provincial elections in the city.
So, it's not surprising that candidates present fresh faces and new promises of fighting for New Westminster - presenting themselves not as party hacks, but as individuals who happen to feel more comfortable in this party instead of that party.
But this time around we have an actual 'Independent' candidate. Certainly, he has much less baggage and no visible party strings. But without a party, he also has much less chance of either getting things for the city, or protecting the city from unwanted changes. Criticize the current political system all you want (and we're with you there) but you have much more power in an MLA who has pull in their own party. One just has to look at Vicki Huntington, the Independent MLA in Delta-South, to see how it works.
That's not to say that one should cynically vote based on what's in it for New West. Principles, policies, and platforms should determine your vote, but don't go expecting the party candidate who professes to fight for this city, to resign when his or her party supports a provincial plan that negatively impacts this city.
