Gadzooks! Democratic Reform British Columbia - which once counted former independent legislator Elayne Brenzinger among its members - is still alive and twitchting. In fact, another minor political party actually wanted to merge with them - this, according to an email sent out by former Democratic Reform policy chair and prospective leadership candidate Robert Allington. Writes Mr. Allington, "Shirley Abraham, the former DR BC Vice President who resigned from our executive to join the BCCP was elected President of the provincial Conservatives at their recent AGM, and has announced that her party has decided to withdraw from further merger or coalition discussions with DR BC." Guess the Liberals and New Democrats can now stop shaking in their boots. Meanwhile, in related news, Democratic Reform will be holding its annual general meeting on November 18 in Sidney, where they will elect a successor to former leader Tom Morino. The following is a complete copy of that email.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: UPDATE: Merger Proposal from Conservatives. DR BC AGM, Leadership Convention,
Date: Sat, 4 Nov 2006 19:34:10 -0800
From: Robert Allington
To: Joe and Lynn England
UPDATE: DR BC AGM, Leadership Convention, Merger Proposal from Conservatives
TO: Members, friends and contacts,
DEMOCRATIC REFORM BC
FROM: Robert Allington,
Leadership Candidate,
Former DR BC Policy Chair
Greetings! A special thank you to everyone who responded to my request for comments on the merger/coalition with the BC Conservative Party. The good news is that a take-over bid by the BC Tories has been averted.
Shirley Abraham, the former DR BC Vice President who resigned from our executive to join the BCCP was elected President of the provincial Conservatives at their recent AGM, and has announced that her party has decided to withdraw from further merger or coalition discussions with DR BC.
The primary reason is apparently the BCCP's unwillingness to consider a name change, or an composite name that reflected a new coalition. Other issues are related to the differences in tax policy. BCCP strongly supports further tax reductions, rather than the balanced DR BC approach.. Shirley apparently fears DR BC would punish successful people for their hard work through taxation, and she opposes our social policy direction.
In general, the response to my mailout suggested that DR BC members and supporters universally rejected the idea of our party being absorbed by the Conservatives. A number of our supporters were, however, prepared to consider a some form of political coalition, which did not involve complete amalgamation.
Sincerely,
Robert
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That's a shame about the negotiations breaking down. Once again, the all-important fringe vote will continue to be split in BC (although the Greens are currently leaderless, so there's an outside chance of a breakthrough).
I guess it shouldn't be a surprise, really -- political rivalries can be fierce indeed when the stakes are so high....
Ralph Sultan would do us conservatives a lotta good shall he decide to jump from the party that appointed two federal liberals who continue to push forward their pro-gay agenda. While Elayne Brenzinger is also a conservative, I dont think it would do him much good coming back to the provincial politics again.
On the federal level however, he may just be able to ride the wave to another tory majority governmetn shall he decide to run against the Al-Gore-wannabe Nathan Cullen up north.
"Ralph Sultan would do us conservatives a lotta good shall he decide to jump from the party that appointed two federal liberals who continue to push forward their pro-gay agenda. While Elayne Brenzinger is also a conservative, I dont think it would do him much good coming back to the provincial politics again."
Sorry FHK, you've got the wrong environment.
Sultan is provincial, not federal.
Ha ha, you think Sultan should parachute into the North?
Good luck...
Unless he has a strong connection to northern communities that I'm not aware of, Sultan would have little to no chance of winning in Skeena. Jumping from riding to riding might be common in the Lower Mainland, but communities like Kitimat, Terrace and Prince Rupert demand a representative with roots in the region and credibility on local issues.
Nathan Cullen is respected by many conservatives and liberals in the area.
Few people are as passionately advocating for the infrastructure needs of the north west as Ralph Sultan. He is very well known for his support for the Hwy 37 electrification proposal
... the party that appointed two federal liberals who continue to push forward their pro-gay agenda. While Elayne Brenzinger is also a conservative, I dont think it would do him much good coming back to the provincial politics again.
On the federal level however, he may just be able ...
Posted by FHK on November 7, 2006
FHK, ... I believe that, as the name implies, Elayne Brenzinger is a she not a he. Who are you talking about when you say "two federal liberals who continue to push forward their pro-gay agenda"?
Thanks Budd, I mistook her for Paul Nettleton., and in that case, please don’t even come close to the federal conservatives. Paul Nettleton on the other hand should challenge Nathan Cullen for his seat in the House of Commons. A social conservative like Paul has no place in Gordo’s big tent anymore and he shoudl seriously consider joining the nomination race.
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