Another miscalculation by Andrew Wilkinson

Note the BC Liberal link to their "no" mini-campaign site
Today, BC Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson challenged Premier John Horgan to a debate on electoral reform. In an instant, I thought to myself, what a stunningly foolish thing to do. Already, Andrew has been on the wrong side of history on several issues.

  • He's opposed the popular speculation tax.
  • He's opposed the elimination of the MSP.
  • He's opposed ICBC reform.
  • He's opposed the minimum wage increase.
  • He's opposed to electoral reform.

But lets talk about electoral reform for a moment.

The NDP pledged a referendum to ask voters on an option for a proportional representation based system. Facing defeat, so did the BC Liberals in their ill-fated throne speech. Presumably, Andrew Wilkinson voted for it too.

But, here is the crux of my thinking on this:

Andrew Wilkinson has effectively made himself the leader of the anti-reform movement in BC. This is problematic in several ways (for him).


  • Those opposed to the BC Liberals, and recent polling puts that number between 60-65% of the popular vote (if recent polling is to be seen as accurate), it gives those folks a brand new opportunity to render their verdict against the 16 year old government (of whom many still resent). In that, "if the BC Liberals oppose reform, then I'm in favour!".
  • Historically, right-of-centre parties do just fine in proportional voting systems; proportional voting does not mean 'left wing' government forever. 
  • By attaching himself to the anti-reform movement, Andrew has already dismissed other right-of-centre politico's or parties that may find their way into the legislature.
  • A vote against electoral reform is a vote *for* the BC Liberals; this may be an uncomfortable alignment for some voters.
  • The vote in question isn't for a pure proportional system; there are three proportional/regional hybrid systems that preserve local representation: something the BC Liberals have mislead voters into thinking isn't the case.

Its not that I think that Andrew Wilkinson is a bad person. I don't know the guy. But his trajectory right now seems to be emulating the scorched earth partisanship that was representative of the last decade, and is a thing that BC voters can do without.

my 2 bits


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Predictable, but sickening nonetheless: BC Liberals tap dance on fuel price.

Image
To believe BC Liberal rhetoric on fuel prices in BC, the NDP are responsible for the highest gas prices in North America. Facts however, tell another story. What are the BC Liberals asking for in this narrative? Subsidized gas? Because the taxation regime in place is largely untouched since they left office. While it is true that the carbon tax in BC went up by a penny, that's hardly the explanation for the recent dramatic jump in price. There are several factors. Regional governments, city halls, transit authorities all have a hand in adding layers of taxation to fuel costs in BC. To believe the BC Liberal version of this: the NDP is responsible for 100% of this tax burden. What's even more asinine is the failure to build Kinder Morgan that the NDP opposes is also responsible for this fuel price overload. Would someone please tell the BC Liberals that the expanded Kinder Morgan project is for export only? The Alberta based tar sands fuel that ends up in our vehic
Read more

Lauren Semple - for the future we need

Image
Today, I’m happy and honoured to offer my unqualified endorsement to Lauren Semple for the Federal NDP nomination to the Nanaimo-Ladysmith ballot this fall. I have worked with Lauren in the community for 4 years now and I have only known her to be a tireless and fearless advocate on human rights and worker rights. In my background in the labour movement, Lauren and I share a similar vision of ‘what we demand for ourselves, we wish for all.’ As Lauren is the past President of Nanaimo Pride Society, this extends to all corners in our society as she championed the cause for equality; for women, for LGBTQ folks, justice for First Nations and many other marginalized peoples. Voters have stark choices to make in the 2019 election. Voting for Lauren Semple is a vote to defend our coast, champion fair taxes and adequate housing. With the same old corruption, the same old pandering to the 1%, the same old catering to Howe/Young Street while ignoring the main street and our neighborhoods,
Read more

No Keith. Do not play the #bothsides card

Image
Just when the MSM was about to get serious about some honest reporting, this egg was laid by senior political reporter playing the 'both sides' card. Almost on cue. No Keith. The NDP doesn't get the blame for travel expenses that Craig James and Gary Lenz traded signatures on. It was unknown enough that it took Speaker Daryl Plecas by surprise when he dug around for the information. This 'both sides' narrative is a BC Liberal talking point because they know how ethically exposed they are already; this makes matters worse merely a week ahead of the Nanaimo byelection they're poised to lose. Now with this stink out there, it feeds into the narrative that BC Liberals are the party of crony capitalism and insiderism; so lets throw some mud at the NDP and make them to blame too. Nothing in the #plecasreport implicates the NDP government or any of its MLA's or cabinet ministers. How embarrassing.
Read more