The BC NDP should have won the BC election this spring.
Their polling numbers going in were strong, and no one in this province really likes Gordon Campbell.
I don’t even think it was entirely Carole James’ plan to scrap the Carbon Tax that cost her the election.
And I just figured out why I haven’t been won over, and likely why many others haven’t.
Carole James doesn’t so much stand for anything as stand in opposition to the BC Liberals.
Every policy they seem to have is merely the opposite of the BC Liberals. They even have a Compare and Contrast page on their website stating every way that they are the opposite to the Liberals.
Gordon Campbell supports the carbon tax – Carole James opposed it.
Campbell originally supported putting an expensive retractable roof on BC Place – Carole James called it a waste of money.
Campbell’s government reverses and thinks it costs to much – James thinks not doing it will hurt long-term tourism.
At some point, even if Gordon Campbell and his government is all kinds of corrupt, they will get an issue right. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
And if you as a party leader merely mirror every flip-flop of the government with one of your own, you will never look qualified to lead the province.
It won’t kill the BC New Democrats to once in a while say, you know what Gordo, that was the right decision for a change. And then you can add in a positive step.
In fact, until they can say that, they likely won’t convince most people that they are a credible government-in-waiting as opposed to a perpetual opposition party.
WordPress
Facebook
Google +
I think the NDP is going to miss a golden opportunity if James doesn’t step aside soon. The HST has infuriated a lot of British Columbians, enough that a province-wide Liberal recall initiative (which can be held November 2010) could succeed in toppling Campbell’s government. The problem is that there are far too many British Columbians who’ve soured on Carole James. The NDP needs to be able to offer someone more attractive to the voting public. Right now Carole James is the best thing Gordon Campbell has going for him.
Honestly, I don’t think that problem with the BC New Democrats is Carole James, but the party machinery behind her.
Carole James does all of the things that is required of a leader well: she campaigns well, she talks to people well, she does the leadership debate well.
The problem for the BC New Democrats is the messaging focus, which focuses on the BC Liberals and makes the New Democrats look like they are always applying for official opposition (which they succeed in getting.)
Political parties seize government when they apply for government; when they focus on what they want to go when they get into government.
I hope that the party machinery follows upon its promise to create positive messaging and apply it soon.
So she campaigns well, talks to people well, does leadership debates well? That’s nice, but it’s custodianship, not leadership. A leader is supposed to LEAD—outline where the province should go, and lay out a plan to get there, and inspire people to get involved and make it happen. Not only is she not doing it, none of the possible contenders for the job are doing it either.