Letter — No place for party politics in Kamloops election
Political parties should not participate in municipal elections
I feel that party politics have destroyed politics and the way people govern themselves. Our federal and provincial politicians neglect accountability to their constituents in favour of bending to party pressure. There have been good, innovative politicians silenced by their parties because their beliefs did not fall within their leaders’ plans. Election issues are handpicked by leadership and briefly listed on pamphlets to be memorized by party candidates while the complex issues unique to each community are ignored. We certainly don’t need any political parties participating in Kamloops’ municipal election.
I might have voted for some of these candidates as individuals, but this election, I won’t be voting for any of them now that they’ve attempted to reintroduce a party system to our community. I’d urge voters to consider what vision they really have for Kamloops and vote accordingly in the upcoming municipal election as well as in the federal election in 2015.
GRAEME SALMON
ArmchairMayor.ca 
One benefit of candidates’ declaration of party affiliation is an instant indication of basic social values or orientation, such as labour versus capital. Unfortunately, the drawback is that membership in the party generally dictates the members’ loyalty to Party, not to constituency. It is a rare occasion on which MLA’s or MP’s vote against party position as opposed to constituency consensus, or even consultation. Basically, such candidates have sold their vote in return for campaign funding. Hired guns.
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As I have said before as well, there is no room for party politics in Kamloops city hall chambers. Would have voted for two of the Vision members, but I will vote for none of them. Mind you, they are all great individuals. However, Vision has a pre-set agenda, which I personally don’t like. What steps would they take to force their agenda through city council, in combination with other left of centre council members?
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If there is no platform or “pre-set agenda” how do you know what you are voting for at all?
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I disagree with this letter in that it paints the coalition in the same light as federal and provincial parties. In bigger cities having a group of candidates makes it easier to figure out if their values match yours. Criticize their platform if you disagree with them – but why criticize them for finding that they want to cooperate and share the same values?
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Party politics have made a mess of Vancouver, and Surrey. Probably in other cities too. I believe that we are far better off with independents.
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You’re right Carol in that with a bigger city a coalition is easier, but Kamloops isn’t that big of a city. I’m back and forth on this slate. On one hand, yes it is good to have candidates aligned on issues. On the other hand, since the 5 of them could technically run the city the way they see fit, what’s stopping them from just doing whatever they want? They would have the majority votes and wouldn’t necessarily need to listen to any other opinions.
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I think once elected people have to cooperate either way. If you agree with their platform and trust them to listen this is not such a big issue. Also, there is nothing forcing anyone go vote for all of them. I probably will vote for some of them, but it will come down to the platforms that most align with my values and priorities.
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Well said, and I agree. There were a couple of people in this group that I would have voted for but won’t any longer.
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Good points Graeme. However, even good people make silly mistakes. It is good to forgive sometimes.
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