Comment on "Another Party" article by Sean Holman,
Public Eye magazine, August 22, 2004

Sean Holman: RE: your editorial Aug.22 "Another Party"

There is much truth in what you write here, but there is also some reality that is absent, and it is a reality that will not be ignored.

Within the fickle politics of BC, it is not so much what the next party has to offer, but what 'baggage' that the voters and the political participants will not forgive, forget or ignore.

Let's look at the three alternatives that you suggested, that the BC Unity Deputy Leader Wayne McGrath is looking into 'uniting'. Chris Delaney failed in an attempted hostile takeover to 'force' the Reform Party into the Family Coalition Party. At the time the Leader of the FCP was Heather Stillwell {Surrey School Trustee of the famed three book fiasco, and prominent anti abortion activist}. Delaney and his small group of supporters drained the Reform Party's bank accounts and left it with debts which the Reform Party faithful had to deal with and eventually paid off.

Last Provincial election the Unity Party {that claimed that they 'were' the Reform Party, and that the Reform Party no longer existed} was birthed from the Family Coalition Party and with it all of the principles that you have noted.

Of the five parties in negotiations, Reform BC, Family Coalition, BC Party, Social Credit and BC Conservatives, all with the exception of the Family Coalition, told Delaney {the then President of Reform BC} to 'stick it' as they couldn't endorse his, {Delaney's and the FCP} adamant views on religion, abortion and gay rights issues.

The Reform Party was in a solid second place at 22% in the polls, was in place to be the opposition, but, enter Delaney with his personal agenda. The entire province can thank him personally for the Liberals overwhelming victory of 77 seats, however, more importantly, it was his efforts that kept the NDP on the map.

Keeping in mind now, that the Federal Reform Party has gone to the Canadian Alliance, and then full circle back to Brian Mulrooneys GST Conservatives. Many BC-ites are not happy about this. The BC Conservatives have inherited the taint of the Mulrooney name and the extreme right wing radicals on abortion and gay rights.

In the totally unpredictable climate of BC politics, anything can happen as we have witnessed with the demise of the Socreds. The Liberals, with the help of one knock out statement by the then Leader, Gordon {flip} Wilson in the '91 Leadership debate, exploded with seventeen seats, virtually coming out of nowhere!

Of course we are a bit biased in our views of what's coming in the future, but the fact remains the Reform BC, when included in the polls as Mustel does, remains consistent. Although almost virtually ignored by the media, Reform is strongly in fourth place, challenging the Greens.

The voters are notorious for being apathetic, disinterested and distant until the last two weeks of the election, at which point should they be fed up with the current regime and want change, will choose to support the next recognized name. Reform BC, which has been active for 21 years, have been represented in the Legislature, is the obvious choice.

Above all else, don't expect Reformers to associate themselves with the extremists in the Unity Party, as Reformers have totally different values and principles.

Shirley Abraham - President and Interim Leader, Reform BC {604-594-8688}, and
Erle Martz - Vice President, Reform BC {250-962-0147/250-962-4977}

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