The Conservation Voters of B.C. are defending their support of Liberal Briony Penn in Saanich-Gulf Islands, saying her NDP opponent's criticism of the choice shows the endorsement means something.
“The best candidate to unite the progressive vote is Briony,” said Will Horter, a CVBC board member. Penn is one of three candidates with strong environmental records trying to unseat cabinet minister Gary Lunn in the riding.
Her NDP opponent, Julian West, said the endorsement was “hasty” and might split the vote by boosting a third place candidate. West, a former senior official in the B.C. Green Party, has been a leading advocate for proportional representation. “If voters in the riding are really concerned about the long-term solution they should be supporting me because I have a track record of moving that issue forward,” he said.
“Obviously the candidates who don't get endorsed are unhappy,” said Horter. “I'm not surprised he's disappointed. Obviously a Conservation Voters endorsement means something.” However, he added, the decision was carefully considered. “He can't unite the progressive vote.”
Penn's profile is high in the area thanks to her longtime work on environmental issues as an activist, columnist and television reporter. She was a founder of the Land Conservancy of B.C. and worked hard to protect Victoria's green belt in the 1990s.
“People know I'm persistent,” she said during the CVBC press conference at a downtown Victoria hotel. “I'll keep going even when I'm unpopular and nobody seems to be saying the obvious, at least to my mind.”
If she gets elected, she said, “Nobody's going to be telling me what to do.”
The CVBC also endorsed NDP incumbent Denise Savoie in Victoria and is still considering other possible endorsements. While people from the organization said they won't endorse any Conservatives this election, it will be interesting to see if they support anyone from the Green Party.
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politico
3 years ago
Progressive Pennmanship
The notion of uniting the progressive vote is quaint and really altruistic.
Given that Penn was approached by all the parties in question, the idea she may be the one to successfully overcome the conservative exploitation of the progressive vote split is understandable.
Unfortunately it will all be for not as the divide is insurmountable with the status-quo, especially given West's tenacious response.
Too bad really, re-electing Lunn will be a difficult pill for this riding to swallow. While at the same time the impact of delivering for the conservatives will kill the opposition candidates ability to ever make a go of it.
Shameful for the rest of the country to have to sit back and watch the petty partisan politicking split the vote and deliver for the regressive conservatives brownest advocate.
It is to weep.
Luke Skywalker
3 years ago
Some Interesting BC Trends.....
Nanos TODAY [BC]:
CPC - 40% (+3% from 2006 election)
Lib - 33% (+5% from 2006 election)
NDP - 20% (-9% from 2006 election)
Grn - 7%
Strategic Counsel TODAY [10 BC Battleground Ridings]:
CPC - 43% (+8% from 2006 election)
Lib - 28% (-5% from 2006 election)
NDP - 18% (-9% from 2006 election)
Grn - 12% (+7% from 2006 election)
Brinoy Penn CAN win the seat, but it will require minimal bickering, some obvious vote consolidation, and some other people holding their noses.
But will it happen?????
G West
3 years ago
And it requires a lot of NDP voters cooperating
Which, given the Liberals attitude, would be silly.
Consolidation only makes sense if there's a quid pro quo.
I'd be happy to see a coalition government - but only under certain specific terms as agreed in advance - including cabinet positions and a minimum agreement on legislation. If the Liberals are prepared to make such an offer - Layton should listen.
Under any other circumstances cooperating with Dion (especially given who carries the coal in BC) would be insane.