Results of the provincial election on May 9 have created an interesting political dynamic in BC, one that became more interesting on May 29 when BC Green Party leader Andrew Weaver signed an agreement with the BC New Democratic Party to gain power.
The Green Party ran on a principled approach to governing in BC, a sentiment that resonated with many British Columbians, including some in the Powell River-Sunshine Coast riding. Sadly, in his pursuit of power, Weaver has adopted the Groucho Marx approach: “These are my principles, and if you don’t like them, well, I have others.”
Over the last month I have been approached by many who voted Green and feel the principled approach was thrown out by Weaver when he signed that agreement.
Weaver’s willingness to abandon his principles has far-reaching implications that extend to his team of local candidates. Surely this agreement presents a problem for Powell River-Sunshine Coast candidate Kim Darwin, who stood and committed to stopping Site C Dam, only now to be told a Green/NDP government would hand over the decision-making to the BC Utilities Commission.
I assume Darwin has an even bigger problem about what to do in the next election because she repeatedly stated that if she had to be part of a party with “whipped votes” she would run as an independent. Now she finds out her leader has agreed to obligate his caucus to be whipped and, even worse, whipped by another party, the NDP, on all confidence votes over the next four years.
This leaves her with a tough decision: follow your leader and abandon your principles or follow your principles and abandon your party. I wonder which she will choose.
Mathew Wilson is a Roberts Creek resident who ran in the provincial election as a BC Liberal Party candidate in the Powell River-Sunshine Coast riding.
