Who will speak for Delta?
There has been much recent debate in our editorial columns and letters to the editor about who will best represent Delta South after the May 14 provincial election. Who will have influence in achieving goals that are in the best interests of Deltoids?
For the last four years our legislative representative has been independent Vicki Huntington. Last time around she beat out Liberal heavyweight Wally Oppal by the slimmest of margins and became the first independent elected to the B.C. legislature in more than a half century.
The result was due to local disgust with the Liberal government over the expansion of the power lines through the middle of Tsawwassen. Delta South being a conservative stronghold was not about to go to the opposition New Democrats and the anti-Liberal vote coalesced around Huntington.
Delta South had been represented by a Liberal MLA while the power lines debate raged.
Being part of the party in power didn't seem to help with the concern expressed by Tsawwassen residents. Oppal was invisible and Val Roddick wasn't publicly leading the charge to the barricades. It makes the argument about a voice in government somewhat suspect.
With party discipline requiring party MLAs to preach the party line, an elected member often comes to represent their party to the constituency rather than representing the constituency to the government.
You have to admire Bruce McDonald's optimism that electing him will ensure a voice in government (and around this newspaper we admire optimists). Or did the Liberals dump Christy Clark while I was distracted by the Canucks' horrid play-off series and hence magnify their chances of winning?
As of writing the Liberals were closing in on the New Democrats, but they had a long way to go.
Adrian Dix thought it was safe to shoot himself in the foot by coming out in opposition to the expansion of the Kinder Morgan Pipeline before going through the due process. It reminded many the New Democrats are anti-business and experts at shrinking the economy. He had been doing so well keeping his mouth shut.
Since Dix was noted for lack of charisma, I assumed he must be smart since I (as most boring people do) equate charisma with the generally air-headed. However, I am beginning to question that conclusion.
One or two more policy pronouncements and Dix could see the premier's position melting away.
But what if the NDP hang in there and McDonald gets elected. How much "voice" would he have with the new government? How much influence would he have with the new government? Right, none.
So Huntington as a non-aligned MLA would be more likely to be listened to.
If you were concerned about a "voice" in government, the smart bet might be to elect Nic Slater and then always vote for the party that is leading in the polls. That scary thought puts "voice" in its proper perspective.
We need intelligent, energetic representatives with high ethical standards. When elected, they will find their own voice.
