Most people in the South Okanagan may not be aware of just how vast the riding of Boundary Similkameen is.
From just south of Kelowna on the back road to Rock Creek, from Big White to Baldy, from Grand Forks to Princeton to the city limits of Penticton through Heritage Hills, Skaha Estates, The Falls, Vaseux – south to the border including Oliver and Osoyoos. Vast for sure – ask Linda Larson – looking after affairs for the last 7 years. Before her John Slater and Bill Barisoff. Those are all down by the river valley names.
Now Roly Russell of Grand Forks – picked as #1 in a winning government – NEW democrats.
For the record this is my opinion and I shall sign my name at the bottom.
Why has a traditional Liberal/Socred riding gone back to the Bill Barlee days several decades ago.
I will not say there are any losers here – The conservative candidate is very happy with his numbers – being the spoiler for the Liberals allowing the NDP to rise above.
Are there other reasons why the Liberals did poorly?
1. Leader of Party not known well
2. Campaign during Covid difficult
3. Selection/Election of candidate flawed
4. National Park issue helped Conservative candidate to bleed red
5. If you add the right of centre vote it is higher than NDP – called the split!
I remember well in 1972 when NDP first elected – the right wing centered in Vancouver said – lets get organized with Grace McCarthy recruiting Bill junior Bennett and by 1975 – NDP turfed.
Things have changed – the fear of socialism and the NDP is no longer evident – just another party on the political spectrum with the Green Party rising – very slowly but in a time of world politics on climate change – watch that over time.
Can the Liberals find a charismatic leader? Well I saw CC Christy Clark on the tube Saturday and wow is she looking good ( I will now be called a sexist for remarking on her beauty and charm ) others will say Jack are you ever bent… even switching teams if you know what I mean. When I met CC she was one of the most likeable persons I had ever met in the world of MALE dominated politics.
John and the ‘Horganites’ have four years to recover from Covid 19 and bring in a balanced budget.
This time period – a ‘space’ for the Liberals and Greens to reflect, sharpen their swords and get ready to battle again. I believe they will have fodder for the cannon.
To Darryl, to Petra – all say signs signs signs – but in the end it is the confidence and comfort of an MLA in government that sees us represented by a NDP choice.
Roly as one who has slayed the dragon – a cabinet post – Forestry, Agriculture, Municipal Affairs. ??
Jack Bennest
Carolyn Tipler says
Yes she was a real charmer! She left nothing but problems for many in need for example revoking bus passes for the disabled and freezing disability payments. The Liberals under her watch did nothing for the people she only cared about leaving her legacy of LNG and Site C – will either ever come to fruition? She took the party even further right from their so called central position and unless the Liberals can come back to their core beliefs they will be defeated again and again.
Publisher: Another person who agrees with me – she was charming.
Kathy Mercier says
Actually, I believe it was then Premier Gordon Campbell who in 2001, after saying he would honour all NDP negotiated contracts, turned around and tore up the Hospital Workers and the BC Teachers’ contracts. Both were eventually reinstated by the courts at a cost to….. guess who….the BC taxpayers! Christy Clark was the education minister at the time.
Ian Mitchell says
With all due respect Jack, saying this NDP government had done little for the teachers is way off base.
Full disclosure: I’m a card carrying NDP member and past president, current treasurer of the local BCNDP riding association. But more importantly, I’m a parent and a staunch supporter of our teachers here and province wide, and my loyalty to teachers supersedes my loyalty to the NDP.
Having said all that, it is certainly true to say that relations between the teachers and this government have been rocky at times. A heated contract dispute and conflict about COVID policy this fall being the two main points of friction. But to imply (as you seem to) that the NDP treatment of teachers is no better than the BC Libs is flat out wrong. Contracts haven’t been ripped up. Collective bargaining rights haven’t been stomped on. And the BCTF eventually did ratify an agreement with a 98% yes vote from teachers.
If you don’t believe me, ask 100 teachers in Boundary Similkameen if they wish the BC Liberals had won this election. You and I both know what the vast majority would say.
Publisher: Could not agree with your take more. But I did say it is still a rocky road with any government.
Elizabeth Schweizer (nee Hovanes) says
Yes, your comment about Christy Clark’s beauty & charm is sexist. By saying it’s going to be viewed as sexist doesn’t give you a pass. Now a real issue – her politics. Let’s not forget that it was Christy Clark as Education Minister & later premier, who tore up the teachers’ legal contract in the early 2000s. It had to go to the Supreme Court of Canada to get overturned as this action was illegal. Yes, she’s a real charmer.
Publisher: Good to hear from a Hovanes on ODN. Not sure why people bring up the past in politics when the sitting government – a friendly NDP regime has done little for the teachers. Means to me that some people have long memories for people and government that they do like or respect. And to use your quote ” Yes, she a real charmer. “
Elizabeth Schweizer (nee Hovanes) says
Yes, I have a long memory for people & government I do NOT respect. Enough said… I’m done with my rant of the day!