FORSETH – ‘Oh, and by the way, can you send me a donation?’

It has now been announced by the Yuri Fulmer campaign that he has signed a pact with OneBC leader Dallas Brodie.  IF he is elected, the pact will see BC Conservatives stand down in 5 riding’s to clear a path OneBC.

WHY IS IT that catchy slogans and indistinguishable promises are all the vogue, in many instances, when it comes to election campaigns?  To me, it’s sad and disappointing that’s the point we are at.

When it comes to Conservatives (federal and provincial), it may play to those who push farther to the right, but it will NEVER, at least hopefully, appeal to the vast majority of voters.

People, at least this people (me), want to see real and actionable plans from those who let their names stand for election; and that includes the current leadership race for the Conservative Party of BC.

Unfortunately, for the most part, this is what we are getting, meaningless platitudes, slogans, and requests to send money:

“I’m the only candidate who can fix (__ insert issue here __). Oh, and by the way, can you send me a donation?”

“I’ll end DRIPA. Oh, and by the way, can you send me a donation?” (QUESTION: What do you propose instead?)

“Liberals are trying to take over the party – I won’t let them. Oh, and by the way, can you send me a donation?”

“The B.C. government is on an ideological crusade, and I will end that. Oh, and by the way, can you send me a donation?”  (QUESTION: Might your solution also be considered ideology?)

“My poll says I’m in the lead – I’m the only one who can win – people like me best. Oh, and by the way, can you send me a donation?” (QUESTION: How can everyone be leading?)

“I’ll cancel all of the gas taxes.  Oh, and by the way, can you send me a donation?” (QUESTION: How will you replace the millions upon millions of revenues that will be lost to the provincial treasury?)

“I will never require you to have digital identification to access services and your own information.  Oh, and by the way, can you send me a donation?” (QUESTION: Digital identification? Aren’t our drivers’ licenses, medical cards, bank cards, credit cards already digital identity?  What do you propose to do differently – what will you replace them with?)

All these things might sound great for a 15-second sound bite, but where are the actionable solutions to the problem facing British Columbians?  In the North, in the Rockies, in the Interior, on the Island, and in the Lower Mainland, a host of problems face B.C. families.  Wherever we live in B.C., we deserve respect by actually presenting us with carefully thought out solutions — not trite sound bites.

Then, we have those who have decided they are judge and jury of who is actually conservative enough to be called the next leader of the Conservative Party of BC. Guess what?  You don’t get to decide.

As a member of the BC Conservatives, I will be one of the people who has the opportunity of choosing who becomes the party’s next leader, and if you’re a purity candidate, you’re not on my ballot.

From the beginning of this race, I have called out those who wish to turn this race into a purity test, and I will continue to do so.

Three candidates have, in my opinion, played the purity card. They are Yuri Fulmer, Kerry-Lynne Findlay, and Caroline Elliott. None of them will be on my ballot when I vote because I believe their ideology will be kryptonite to voters the party MUST attract to win the next provincial election

That leaves me with just Peter Millobar, Iain Black, and Warren Hamm to consider.

Big financial deadlines are rapidly approaching as by Wednesday (04/01) candidates must submit $40,000 to the party -—  and then a further $60,000 by April 18.

Will all six candidates still be in the race?  Time will tell, but I think at least one more individual, possibly two, are about to drop out of the race, and then we’ll be down to 5 at the most.