The REAL problem with BC elections
The REAL problem with BC elections is the sorry state of the NDP.
The NDP is a party stuck in 1963. They are an unreformed socialist party. As a result, they scare the hell out of anyone who isn’t a radical socialist.
If they were a fringe party, this wouldn’t be an issue at all. The problem is that they are the only potential alternative for those who are fed up with Gordon Campbell and the Liberals. One has to presume that they will eventually win again.
If they were more like the Saskatchewan NDP, or European Social Democrats, we could grumble about an NDP victory, but at least not wake up with cold sweats, wondering whether their next move is nationalizing McDonald’s through the Ministry of Fast Food (OK, maybe that wouldn’t be so bad).
The same disease afflicts the federal wing of the NDP, but they don’t have a hope of ever winning, so their presence isn’t nearly as frightening.
So, how do we fix the problem?
The truth is, we don’t. I’m a libertarian-Conservative, I can’t help matters at all. They must fix it.
Patient, Heal Thyself.
There has been the odd movement here and there toward modernizing the party, but it’s always been quashed before it got too far. Part of the problem is the voting structure of the party itself, heavily weighted to automatic voting for unions and their proxies. But the other part is a simple lack of will on the part of moderate social democrats to take on the task.
Here is my hope for the upcoming election:
First of all, heaven help us, the NDP must lose. Carole James must move on.
What else must happen is that moderate social democrats with leadership potential must win – candidates such as John Horgan. These leaders must then have balls enough to take on the union establishment. It won’t be easy, but it will certainly make the NDP a less scary proposition for the province.
It will also be good for democracy. Instead of being herded into voting for Gordon Campbell and the BC Liberals, people will be free to consider an alternative. (Of course, STV will go miles toward accomplishing this as well.)
Shouldn’t we just allow them to fester and die in their backwardness?
If STV passes, then maybe. But I don’t think it will pass. So, we’re right back where we started.
And since the NDP will eventually win again, the question isn’t do you want the NDP to form government, but what kind of NDP government do you want when they do win?
This is a double-edged sword.
If they do modernize, they would instantly become a more viable competitor, and would be far more likely to win. But the far scarier prospect is if they continue down the current path and we have a re-run of the last time they were in power.
If that happens, everyone* loses.
* Note: excluding union bosses and radical left-wing hippy protester-types.
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Brian Driscoll
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Roy Elsworth from BC
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Scary Fundamentalist
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