The British Columbia Green Party is looking for constituencies where leader Jane Sterk and other candidates would have an increased chance of winning a seat in the next provincial election.
“I think we could certainly say we're analyzing several ridings that may provide us a better opportunity to win,” said leader Jane Sterk. “I'm in it to get elected . . . I'm ready for a win.”
The constituencies include two on southern Vancouver Island where there is likely to be a four-way split that would allow Sterk or another Green to win with a relatively small share of the popular vote: Saanich North and the Islands, currently held by Liberal Murray Coell, and Oak Bay-Gordon Head, won last election by Liberal Ida Chong.
“We believe that we have to focus resources on ridings where there's a potential we could capitalize under the kind of split you can see under first past the post,” said Sterk. “We need to be strategic and we need to win.”
In 2009 Sterk ran in Esquimalt-Royal Roads, a New Democratic Party stronghold where she placed a distant third despite her profile as a city councillor.
Another way for the party to gain a stronger voice would be to pick up MLAs who are already elected. Sterk said she's doing outreach to Bob Simpson, who last week was ejected from Carole James' opposition NDP caucus.
“I do think there are people in the NDP caucus who are greens,” said Sterk, adding that anyone who joins the party would have to understand what makes the Greens different, including their support for a steady-state economy. “There are about five or six people who are in the NDP who feel to me like they are more alligned with Green Party policies and principles.”
Sterk has also had Liberals approach her about switching parties, she said. And while she doesn't want to be known as someone who poaches from other parties, she said, “There's a part of me that believes the Green Party needs a break.”
Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Reach him here.
8
Login or register to post comments
Sask Resident
1 year ago
Work with the System
Has Jane Sterk ever thought of working with the system from within rather than trying to destroy it from outside? Few if anyone knows what the Greens stand for, what their policies are, their plans and their beliefs. The federal Green party changed greatly when Liz May became leader, from a fiscal conservative, smaller government party that wanted less subsidies to consumers to a left wing party with a social policy and higher government spending to environmental issues. What does Jane Sterk's party stand for and why could she not reach the same conclusions with an existing party such as the NDP (with a different leader).
GlobalSkeptic
1 year ago
@Sask Resident
I believe she became disillusioned with her options, and that was part of why she chose the Green Party.
The NDP isn't necessarily pro-environment in BC. That is probably a major factor in the Bob Simpson mess.
Here is a link to the explanation you are looking for:
http://www.greenparty.bc.ca/node/113
DPL
1 year ago
I would rather support the
I would rather support the extinct Rhino Party that the greens. Sterk is going nowhere and the greens continue to be a group of wanabees
Cool Hand
1 year ago
Greens
The Greens in Germany receive the same popular vote share as here in Canada. But when voters become disillusioned with the major parties look what happens - Today's German federal poll:
29% CDU/CSU
25% Greens
23% SPD
12% Left
4% FDP
7% Others
And current polling in the southern German conservative state of Baden-Württemberg (which has always had the same Green support level as BC):
36% Greens
28% CDU
17% SPD
8% FDP
7% Left
4% Others
These are unprecedented levels of support for the German Greens who have skyrocketed and come out of nowhere.
Think it can't happen here with voters disillusioned with both Gordo and Carole? It's called a political earthquake of tsunami proportions.
Frank
1 year ago
Luke
It could happen here but don't bet a pay cheque on it.
The Greens under Sterk are not polling high and they have little in the way of momentum.
If Bob Simpson and other NDP and Liberal MLAs and supporters join them then they could have a chance but not until.
Greens should have supported STV as it would have improved their chances of elected MLAs given that they're the 2nd choice of both sides. But apparently most of them had better things to do that day.
sunshine coast girl
1 year ago
But your party, both provincially and federally,
are already known as people who poach from other parties. Apparently it's the only way that you'll get a seat.
Try working for one. Start with explaining exactly what the Greens stand for and how they are different than other parties. Don't forget to be honest about how you are going to pay for all your changes.
GlobalSkeptic
1 year ago
@CoolHand
That's pretty impressive! Let's see how far that carries/grows into the next election.
Key difference though is that they've had credible governing experience in coalition with the SPD nationally, and their former leader used to be the most popular leader in the country as well as being in regional coalitions with both the SDP CDU and FDP of late.
Sask Resident
1 year ago
GlobalSkeptic
Perhaps Jane Sterk should have tried to make the NDP, or Liberals, more environmentally progressive. The problem with the NDP under James is that the Liberal appear more environmentally sensitive than the NDP.
But I and few others know what the Greens stand for and what their policies are plus how they will implement them. Most Greens cannot explain what they want or what their party wants except "to be more environmentally sensitive" without saying what that is and how they would do it. Taxes do not improve the environment and may encourage the raping of the environment.