Notwithstanding the provincial New Democrat recent performance in the legislature, the party hasn't had much success convincing British Columbians to give them the reigns of government. After all, the latest Mustel Research Group Ltd. poll puts them 18 percentage points behind the Liberals at 32 percent. But perhaps the New Democrats constitution and party affairs committee has stumbled across one reason why. In a resolution submitted for debate at the party's upcoming convention, the committee notes the BC NDP Constitution does not explicitly state the Purpose of the BC NDP." So it calls on delegates to add a new clause to the New Democrat's constitution stating, "The purpose of the Party shall be to act on behalf of its members to apply the principles of social democracy to government and the administration of public affairs, and to influence decision-makers to improve the quality of life for all citizens." Gadzooks! Now British Columbians are sure to think the New Democrats are ready to govern! The following is a complete copy of the aforementioned resolution.

PARTY PURPOSE

WHEREAS the BC NDP Constitution does not explicitly state the Purpose of the BC NDP;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that a new clause be added to the Constitution under Article 1 - NAME AND PURPOSE, which would be called Section 1.06, and which would read: "The purpose of the Party shall be to act on behalf of its members to apply the principles of social democracy to government and the administration of public affairs, and to influence decision-makers to improve the quality of life for all citizens."