Are the BC Liberals Imploding?

[Alex Mackinnon]

It wouldn't be that big of stretch in a couple spots. The granville st. bridge has had 8 lanes for quite a long time.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Stingray2004

Now this afternoon, it looks like the NDP is collapsing/imploding internally with NDP caucus chair Katrine Conroy resigning in protest against Carole James' leadership.

Conroy also had NDP MLA's MLAs Jenny Kwan, Lana Popham and Claire Trevena supporting her against the leadership of Carole James. Other NDP MLA's are also apparently not supporting James. Does James now kick them out of caucus?

This is a train wreck in the making. The NDP is internally collapsing. Never seen anything like it.

Well, actually you would have seen anything like to had you followed BC politics more closely. The NDP has always been a fractious bunch.

What we haven't seen is tomfoolery like Gordo's amazing disappearing 15% tax cut. That's a new bit of craziness, even for BC. Or Bill Bennet's public outing of Campbell as a petty, spittle tossing tyrant. The syncophancy of Gordo's cabinet today lining up to praise their boss is pretty out there too. Even the conservative National Post is writing off the BC Libs:

...Watching events unfold with modest satisfaction is Carole James, B.C.’s provincial NDP leader. Ms. James is not a charismatic politician but she is a person of sound character, compassion and determination. She led her party back from its brink since taking the leadership in 2003...
Read more: http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/...#ixzz15mgeMl7b

[jlousa]

If someone else wants to set up the party and fund it, I'll take the job and if elected I'll donate my salary to a worthy cause. First term I'd build a bunch of infrastructure (but tear up the tracks to Chilliwack to upset Zwei) and cut back civil service. Near the end of my 1st term I'd seize Point Roberts and all those Alaskan islands along our coast. I'll bribe Google to redraw the borders beforehand. During all the uncertainty I'd get re-elected, I'd build more infrastructure and turn BC into an electricity global powerhouse, then I'd seize Alaska one night while they're sleeping and hand it over to Ottawa in exchange for absorbing all our provincial debt. With Sarah Palin there, most Americans would be fine with us taking it and won't have an appetite to defend it.

[Fairbanks]

Originally Posted by jlousa

If someone else wants to set up the party and fund it, I'll take the job and if elected I'll donate my salary to a worthy cause. First term I'd build a bunch of infrastructure (but tear up the tracks to Chilliwack to upset Zwei) and cut back civil service. Near the end of my 1st term I'd seize Point Roberts and all those Alaskan islands along our coast. I'll bribe Google to redraw the borders beforehand. During all the uncertainty I'd get re-elected, I'd build more infrastructure and turn BC into an electricity global powerhouse, then I'd seize Alaska one night while they're sleeping and hand it over to Ottawa in exchange for absorbing all our provincial debt. With Sarah Palin there, most Americans would be fine with us taking it and won't have an appetite to defend it.

All valid ideas, suggestions and points with one big question mark. Do we get to burn the witch at the stake?

[Fairbanks]

The Liberal Cabinet is now running the province. Repealed 15% prov inc tax will mean a repealed HST in August but with no rebate. Dianne Watt will become Liberal leader come the convention. Dianne Watt willl resign by Jan 31, 2011. My friends call me, "The Amazing Kreskin"

Surrey will hear propopsal of major Disney style theme park within 24 months.

Supertall project will not pass.

Skytrain will extend to Guilford by 2014.

[Yume-sama]

It would be nice to have a Disneyland Canada in Surrey. Then we could go without being molested at the airport.

[EastVanMark]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

It would be nice to have a Disneyland Canada in Surrey. Then we could go without being molested at the airport.

But thats part of the fun

[vanlaw]

Originally Posted by Fairbanks

If you know anything about BC political parties then you know that the Social Credit Party (Socreds) were a "small c" conservative party. The Social Credit Party was social in name only. The BC LIberal Party is the current incarnation of the Social Credit Party. Just because they call themselves Liberals they are not like the fed Liberal Party. The BC Liberal Party are "small l" Liberals in name only.

Both parties are conservative in platform.

The BC Conservative party is the BC Conservative party only because the name, "conservative" is available. If you think of the BC Conservative Party as "conservative" just look at their platform...they are the BC version of the REFORM Party. BAD NEWS.

Wow, Thanks for the lesson. I sure feel dumb now I am well aware of the history of the Socreds and provincial Liberals. What i was referring to was that I wasn’t actually aware that there was a provincial party operating under the name “Conservative Party”, not to the fact that we have a right of center party.

Maybe tone down the condescension next time

[Spork]

Apparently 84% of the NDP voted to keep Carole James:

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Canada/1213148.html

[Stingray2004]

Actually, it looks like the NDP caucus is imploding:

1. 13 NDP MLAs, representing 40% of the NDP caucus, sat stone-faced and refused to clap when Carole James gave her speech yesterday;

2. After the vote, one NDP MLA physically threatened another NDP MLA in front of the media;

3. Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver Sun columnist, is now reporting that at least two party insiders have confirmed to him that some NDP MLAs will now leave caucus to form a new party with former NDP MLA Bob Simpson;

As things stand now, it looks like the NDP is toast in the next provincial election. Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory is certainly an understatement in this case.

[dreambrother808]

Originally Posted by Spork

Apparently 84% of the NDP voted to keep Carole James:

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Canada/1213148.html

So out of touch with reality...

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Stingray2004

Actually, it looks like the NDP caucus is imploding:

1. 13 NDP MLAs, representing 40% of the NDP caucus, sat stone-faced and refused to clap when Carole James gave her speech yesterday;

2. After the vote, one NDP MLA physically threatened another NDP MLA in front of the media;

3. Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver Sun columnist, is now reporting that at least two party insiders have confirmed to him that some NDP MLAs will now leave caucus to form a new party with former NDP MLA Bob Simpson;

As things stand now, it looks like the NDP is toast in the next provincial election. Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory is certainly an understatement in this case.

It does indeed seem a stupid move. I saw Jenny Kwan standing sullenly on TV. What a dim bulb she is, how does she manage to keep getting re-elected, just the Chinese last name?

[Yume-sama]

I just don't see how anyone could like James. I could never conceivably see someone voting for her as more than a protest vote.

[Stingray2004]

Originally Posted by whatnext

It does indeed seem a stupid move. I saw Jenny Kwan standing sullenly on TV. What a dim bulb she is, how does she manage to keep getting re-elected, just the Chinese last name?

Jenny Kwan is the MLA for BC's safest NDP seat - Vancouver Mount Pleasant, which incorporates the DES and Strathcona. It even survived the 77-2 NDP rout of 2001. More importantly, Kwan is a senior caucus member, which doesn't bode well for James.

As for the 11 - 13 NDP MLA's who now have publicly "outed themselves" opposing James' leadership (listed below), if 1/3 or more of James' NDP caucus opposes her leadership, how is James now supposed to convince BC'ers that she's "Premier" material?

Again, NDP insiders suggest that some of these MLAs might jump ship and sit as Independents or form a new party perhaps as early as next week:

Katrine Conroy, Kootenay West

Gary Coons, North Coast

Guy Gentner, Delta North

Leonard Krog, Nanaimo

Jenny Kwan, Vancouver-Mt. Pleasant

Harry Lali, Fraser Nicola

Norm Macdonald, Columbia River-Revelstoke

Lana Popham, Saanich South

Doug Routley, Nanaimo-North Cowichan

Michael Sather, Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows

Nicholas Simons, Powell River-Sunshine Coast

Claire Trevena, North Island

[Fairbanks]

There's no need for that many lanes anywhere in British Columbia. Plus, this board is split 50 for bikes, and 50 for cars. You might end up with some party members suggesting bike lanes on every street instead.

is this dude for real? Must be from Toronto and never visited the west. SOunds like a typical eastern block citizen to me

[Fairbanks]

I too am a fan of Gordon Campbell. This man has done more for this province in the last 10 years than anyone post WAC Bennett. I applaud his dignity and graciousness and humility.

He and the Liberals under his leadership have saved this province from financial chaos.


That having been said ...he should not have lied to us.

[Fairbanks]

[QUOTE=Stingray2004;5064598]Jenny Kwan is the MLA for BC's safest NDP seat - Vancouver Mount Pleasant, which incorporates the DES and Strathcona. It even survived the 77-2 NDP rout of 2001. More importantly, Kwan is a senior caucus member, which doesn't bode well for James.

As for the 11 - 13 NDP MLA's who now have publicly "outed themselves" opposing James' leadership (listed below), if 1/3 or more of James' NDP caucus opposes her leadership, how is James now supposed to convince BC'ers that she's "Premier" material?

Again, NDP insiders suggest that some of these MLAs might jump ship and sit as Independents or form a new party perhaps as early as next week:

Katrine Conroy, Kootenay West

Gary Coons, North Coast

Guy Gentner, Delta North

Leonard Krog, Nanaimo

Jenny Kwan, Vancouver-Mt. Pleasant

Harry Lali, Fraser Nicola

Norm Macdonald, Columbia River-Revelstoke

Lana Popham, Saanich South

Doug Routley, Nanaimo-North Cowichan

Michael Sather, Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows

Nicholas Simons, Powell River-Sunshine Coast

Claire Trevena, North Island[/QUO

[Fairbanks]

this is all a ploy to draw attention top the NDP party.

[EastVanMark]

Originally Posted by Stingray2004

3. Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver Sun columnist, is now reporting that at least two party insiders have confirmed to him that some NDP MLAs will now leave caucus to form a new party with former NDP MLA Bob Simpson;

Let's hope this happens. That will split the lefty vote and all but guarantee they never get a chance to govern which is good news for British Columbians

[nova9]

Originally Posted by whatnext

It does indeed seem a stupid move. I saw Jenny Kwan standing sullenly on TV. What a dim bulb she is, how does she manage to keep getting re-elected, just the Chinese last name?

excuse me. i live in her riding and we re-elect her because of what she is able to do FOR our riding. i vote for her DESPITE her being NDP. so please keep your ignorant comments on my riding and your implied racial voting to yourself!