Dear Editor:
Re: No chance for Libs in Royal City, Letters to the editor, The Record, Feb. 15, by Paul Forseth.
When Paul Forseth states that "some NDP vote might come my way, considering how the NDP leadership rudely cast aside Dawn Black as part of the ousted Carole James group," there is no doubt in my mind that I fit into that description perfectly, in terms of my feelings towards how Dawn Black has been treated.
As a supporter and friend of Dawn Black, I will honestly and publicly attest to the fact that I have not been happy with how the party has treated her as MLA for New Westminster. She stepped into the interim leadership role after the "coup" and showed everyone what the true meaning of political leadership is. And her reward for this, in my opinion, was being "left hung out to dry" by the provincial leadership over the rush to "nominate" a candidate before a potential 2011 provincial election.
Back when our illustrious Premier Christy Clark, upon assuming the leadership of the B.C. Liberals, was playing "will I call an election, won't I call an election" like a school girl plucking petals from a daisy. Back when it would have been absolute political suicide for Clark to call an election, given the polling numbers then, and the split of the hard right-hand side of the political spectrum in B.C. By my words, you can see that I am not a contented, happy, centre-lefty.
To say that I and others like myself would abandon our political actuations and our care and concern for the people of New Westminster, as well as the province, by voting for one of two parties whose policies and ideas I have been so vocally opposed to, is wrong. I may not agree with the hierarchy of the NDP and its handling of a few key issues and situations, but that is not enough for me to "sell out" my morals and principles. I do not hold my ideals as cheaply or conveniently as others who engage in floor crossing or political hopscotch do.
Which brings me to David Brett's letter, Thanks for nothing, printed on Feb. 22.
David Brett has written numerous letters to the editor, extolling the virtues of the B.C. Liberals and their platforms, policies and positions under both Gordon Campbell and Christy Clark.
It's refreshing to see Mr. Brett finally acknowledge just where on the political spectrum the B.C. Liberals stand when he talks with such admiration and glowing adulation of the far right-wing of the political spectrum when he states "Think about it. Our prime minister is from Alberta, and we have Reform to thank for that. Let's not spoil the legacy of Reform in this province."
With the recent budget put forth by Finance Minister Kevin Falcon, reminding everyone of the infamous restraint era of the early to mid-1980s, Socred governments, as well as Christy Clark's choice of a new chief of staff, Ken Boessenkool, former strategist and senior policy analyst to Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper, there can be no doubt that there is very little "liberal" left in the B.C. Liberals. I suppose that this has now devolved into a fight for the right.
Being a moderate centre-left person, politically, I cannot say that I don't derive a sense of delight in this dilemma for the "right" side of the political spectrum. I do not share the political beliefs of either David Brett or Paul Forseth. However, should Mr. Brett's prediction come true of "vast forests of for-sale signs and armadas of Albertabound U-Hauls all emblazoned with one clear message: 'Thanks John Cummins. Thanks for nothing,'" Mr. Brett, his political allies and supporters may require some assistance in joining in on this after the 2013 provincial election results come in. I am most willing and able to assist them in packing and being on their way.
Dave Lundy, New Westminster
