In the last election I ran for the party in the Shuswap riding and came in second best of all our candidates. Still, I didn't quite get 13% of the vote. Overall we got less than 5% of the popular vote. No matter how you play with the statistics we came 4th as a party, after the Greens.
Given this, some people wonder why I would want not only to still support the party but invest my time in it as president. There are a few things I believe in strongly that govern my decision:
- I believe that our party has the principles and guidelines that BC needs and no other party comes close. I could not vote for any other party and I believe that I must vote.
- I believe that politics in BC are governed by fear because we have a 2 party system. 85% of voters either vote for the NDP or against the NDP. Until we have a viable third option we will never have responsive government. I believe the BC Conservatives are that option.
- I believe that politics is about the future and not the past. If I succeed in my bid for the presidency I will be focused on the future of BC and our party's part in that.
I do have concerns however. As a group we have shown a tendency to be somewhat strong willed. This is a positive trait that will take us a long way if we harness it to work as a team. If we allow it to make us divisive however, it will mire us in the political fringes. But I believe in the members of this party. We can bring our collective abilities to bear to build the future of BC.
That is why I am running for the presidency. My eyes are wide open to the challenges before us but given our great potential I can see through them as well. I am looking forward to a great year of progress.
