The two most vocal opponents of adopting the single transferable vote in B.C. have New Democratic Party ties and at least one major union is telling its members to vote 'no', but not all left wingers are against making the change.
“I don't believe in making perfection the enemy of the better,” said Mike Bocking, the NDP candidate in Maple Ridge-Mission. “My personal vote will be for STV.”
He stressed that he won't campaign for a 'yes' vote in the May 12 referendum, but will give his position when asked.
Like the B.C. Liberal Party, the NDP has decided not to take an official position on the referendum.
Another NDP candidate, Helesia Luke, also said she will vote 'yes' for STV. She is running in Vancouver-Langara. “Each candidate was free to take their own position,” said Luke.
“I think there are a number of warts on STV,” Bocking said, including its complexity and the difficulty voters may have understanding who represents them in large ridings. Still, it's better than the first-past-the-post system we now use, he said. “The first-past-the-post system has more warts on it than STV.”
While the NDP may be officially neutral on STV, the two main media spokespeople for the No BC-STV Campaign Society have strong NDP backgrounds. President Bill Tieleman was an adviser to NDP Premier Glen Clark and Secretary-Treasurer David Schreck was an NDP MLA and strategist.
The B.C. chapter of the Canadian Union of Public Employees' also has a position against STV and is telling its members that in pre-election phone calls.
Federal NDP members of parliament Jean Crowder and Denise Savoie are on record in favour of a 'yes' vote for STV in the referendum.
The B.C. Green Party is promoting a 'yes' vote and included the position prominently in their platform.
Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Reach him here.
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Skywalker
3 years ago
So what?
Now I should change my vote because a few non entities are voting the other way?
Gary
3 years ago
A free and democratic society
At least on the NDP side. They are allowed to vote any way they please. But on the liberal side they continue to be told to vote the party line (Campbells way)
Amor de Cosmos
3 years ago
Progressive Dippers Support STV
I'd urge all progressive NDPers to vote YES for STV. It is worth a try!
On the whole, the branch of New Democrats who are against STV appear to be those who support centralised power-politicking. It's Glen Clark's old gang, who still have too much influence in the NDP.
If STV turns out to be a worse system, we can always switch back.
Progressives vote YES! Down with the old school!
Wilfred Laurier
3 years ago
Hey....
"It's Glen Clark's old gang, who still have too much influence in the NDP"
Hey, those were the golden years of the NDP. Had Chairman Glen managed to put Canwest out of business, he would have been Premier for Life!
Wayne Smith
3 years ago
More New Democrats for BC-STV
Also voting for BC-STV are NDP MPs Alex Atamanenko, Don Davies, Libby Davies and Bill Siksay, as well as Former NDP MLAs and cabinet ministers Andrew Petter and Thomas Perry.
There is considerable support for BC-STV from New Democrats across Canada, including Thunder Bay MP Bruce Hyer, former MPs Lorne Nystrom and Walter Pitman, and Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath.
But BC-STV is not about what is good for parties. It is about what is good for voters.
There is an impressive list of endorsements from prominent Canadians of all parties and all backgrounds available at www.stv.ca/endorsements.
Wayne Smith
3 years ago
New Democrats for BC-STV on Facebook
There is also a Facebook group for NDP supporters of BC-STV:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=55178661255
Skywalker
3 years ago
Wayne Smith/Wilf
More than half are from outside BC. Why don't they try it where they are from first. It means diddley.
As to Wilf's "put Canwest out of business" best reason for a comeback I can think of. Amor de cosmos has provided the best laugh of the day.
H87
3 years ago
What is a Vote?
The citizens of the USSR voted for their government every 4 years, as we do. I am convinced that our system does not produce a democracy for the benefit of the people any more than theirs did. BC-STV would give democracy a chance by giving us an election result that more accurately reflects the wishes of the people. It is encouraging to know that some of the candidates in this election are willing to give it a try.
slim
3 years ago
Tieleman and Schreck: Party Backroom Boys support FPTP
Bill Tieleman and David Schreck are two NDP Backroom Boys who support the antiquated First-Past-the-Post voting system. Backroom Boyos support FPTP because this system concentrates power in the premier's office which includes the Backroom Boys. The Backroom Boys exercise more power than your local MLA.