Four candidates are campaigning to represent the Powell River-Sunshine Coast riding as MLA. General election day is October 19.
To conclude a three-part question and answer series, Greg Reid (Independent), Christopher Hergesheimer (Green Party of BC), Randene Neill (BC NDP) abd Chris Moore (Conservative Party of BC) were asked the following question:
Why should voters in the Powell River-Sunshine Coast riding choose you to represent them as their MLA in Victoria?
Here is the response from Greg Reid (Independent):
Why vote independent? You will receive:
One: True political power. Direct democracy brings citizens the opportunity to vote on every piece of legislation. There are only 92 people in BC who currently share that privilege.
Two: Representation is one of the key tenets of good government. Without it, government becomes something other than democracy: oligarchy (tyranny). The political party system has taken representation out of the equation.
Political parties fund their candidate's election campaign. And each party has carefully selected their candidate, vetting them to be sure they understand the party platform and represent it without fail. If you are considering a party candidate you need to know that their allegiance to you will never come first.
Three: Independence. Our riding will be free to evaluate every piece of legislation on its merit, discuss it amongst ourselves, and, using our voting app, decide whether it serves us well.
Four: Leadership. As the first and only riding to have direct democracy, all eyes will be on us. Soon citizens in every riding will insist upon it. Eventually their MLAs will comply.
Five: Defeat lobbies. The voice and political power of the people erodes the power of lobbyists. Vetoing legislation negates the effect of lobbyists upon premier and cabinet
Six: Restoration of democracy. Canada's constitution never mentions political parties. You have been misled if you believe they are the foundation of democracy. Far from it. Elect a party candidate and you won't vote again for years.
Seven: Escape the party trap, vote Independent, and win this election for yourselves.
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