Who do you trust? Kevin Falcon, Christy Clark publicly state they support weighted voting system for BC Liberals at convention Saturday - Clark whacks George Abbott too



Premier Gordon Campbell & George Abbott



Christy Clark on TV

Kevin Falcon, Christy Clark promise to tell delegates to support BC Liberal weighted voting system for leadership at Saturday special convention - even though the value of their mass signups would be diminished by equal votes per riding

And Clark attacks George Abbott over his alleged negative campaign against her

UPDATE - Abbott fires back at Clark - see end  of post

UPDATE #2 - Abbott accuses Clark of being backed by "supported by NDP insiders who see her as the easiest opponent to beat to bring the NDP back to power in 2013" - see very end of post - could he be referring to Clark supporter - and ex-BC NDP Caucus Communications director Brad Zubyk

UPDATE #3 - FRIDAY FEBRUARY 11 - Union Of BC Indian Chiefs asks "Does Christy Clark see Russia from her living room window?"

In a scathing news release from Grand Chief Stewart Philip today with that headline, the UBCIC denounces Clark's support for the federally-rejected Prosperity Mine project.

"As part of Christy Clark’s campaign to lead the BC Liberal Party, Ms. Clark has publicly stated, if elected, she would strongly encourage Prime Minister Harper to overturn the federal decision to reject Taseko Mine’s proposed Prosperity Mine.

“Ms. Clark’s shameless pandering for Liberal delegates support serves her political aspirations and does not serve the majority of British Columbians who share the environmental values of First Nations and which are reflected in the federal independent panel’s decision,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.

“The federal panel and federal environmental assessment process took the time to hear the many concerns of Tsilhqot’in Elders, women, families and leaders about the land, water, fish and wildlife.”

It's getting to be an uglier and more interesting BC Liberal leadership campaign - today two of the top contenders to become BC's next premier separately pledged to support a weighted vote that will hinder them and help opponent George Abbott.

And Christy Clark laid a barrage on Abbott over his ongoing attacks on her campaign.

Ouch and ouch.  And they were all getting along so well before!

Falcon and Clark both issues statements saying they are in favour of the weighted vote proposal to be decided at the BC Liberal special convention in Vancouver Saturday - but Falcon earlier this month announced he'd signed up 17,500 new members and Clark is reputed to have signed up 20,000 to 25,000 new BC Liberals.

NOTE: Figures above do not include Kamloops Blazers hockey team members, cats, Joey's Restaurant managers or others unaware of their new memberships or where they reportedly live.

Here are excerpts from Clark's and then Falcon's statements, followed by Clark's full attack on Abbott - stay tuned for more fireworks!

Clark Will Put Hand Up for Weighted Vote

“This Saturday, BC Liberals will gather in Vancouver and at sites across the province and make a decision that is critical to the future of our party across British Columbia.

“I am strongly encouraging all delegates to accept the leadership election rule changes recommended by the party executive that call for regional weighting, so that each riding has an equal voice in selecting our next leader. Governments are elected by giving 85 ridings equal weight and I believe this principle should be followed in this leadership election.

“The NDP have chosen a one member-one vote system for selecting a new leader. They are cutting rural British Columbia out of the equation and that is quite simply wrong. Rural B.C. deserves a voice and the NDP are stifling that voice.

“It’s important that all parts of the province thrive and to do that you need to make sure voices from all regions are equally heard.

“On Saturday, I will put my hand up in public and vote for the regional weighted voting system because it is the right thing to do and will help bring the party and province together.”

*****

Kevin Falcon Pushes for Weighted Vote

Thursday, February 10, 2011


VANCOUVER, BC - BC Liberal Party leadership candidate Kevin Falcon reiterated today his support for a weighted vote system, and encouraged delegates to Saturday’s extraordinary convention to vote for the new rules.


“I believe any new leader must demonstrate that they can secure support from every part of this great Province,” said Falcon. “The weighted system will significantly strengthen the leader in the minds of both members and the public at large. The BC Liberal Party executive has made a good recommendation to the delegates, and I encourage the convention to adopt the point system for ridings.”


On Saturday, Feb. 12, delegates to the BC Liberal Party convention will vote on adopting a new system, where each of BC’s 85 ridings will be awarded 100 points in the leadership vote. This gives every riding an equal say on the new leader.


“As I have travelled across BC over these past three months, meeting BC Liberal members from big cities and small towns, from urban areas and rural communities, from every region, I have been continually reminded of
how diverse our province is,” said Falcon. “We need to hear from them all on Feb. 26, and the weighted system is the best way to do that.”


*****
Christy Clark:


Response to Abbott’s Negative Campaign

George Abbott is running a campaign of negative attacks against Christy Clark.

 

Here are the facts:

Health Care

As a former deputy premier and vice-chair of Treasury Board, Clark knows we need to maintain sustainable funding in the health care system by improving innovation and focusing on the needs of an aging population. Her plans for health funding are consistent with recommendation #1 of the Legislature’s Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services for the 2011 budget. Check page 24 of the report found here.

HST

We are having this leadership campaign because the HST was mishandled. In announcing her candidacy, Clark put two potential approaches to the HST issue on the table. Then she went out and did something that should have been done about the HST long ago — she listened to British Columbians. After this consultation, Clark is recommending a referendum be held on June 24. Clark also believes the province should fund both sides of the question as a way to start breaking down the distrust created by mishandling of the HST in the first place.

Election Date

Clark believes it is unreasonable to expect British Columbians to accept an unelected premier for more than two years. The question is who can win a general election. The clear answer from poll after poll is Christy Clark. You can learn more here.

Coalition Unity

Clark is deeply concerned that the negative campaign being run by George Abbott puts the unity of the coalition at risk. It is worth noting the NDP have focused most of their attacks on Clark – while ignoring Abbott – as they know she is the biggest threat to their return to power.

Rural BC

Clark has made getting the Prosperity Mine up and running her top priority for dealing with the federal government.

Clark has also released a comprehensive plan to create jobs and economic development in rural BC. You can read the plan here.

Byelection

Abbott’s assertion that “Clark would rather ignore the law and spring an early election on British Columbians just to avoid the risk of running in a byelection” is ridiculous and completely unfounded. Why would George Abbott make this up?

UPDATE #1 - GEORGE ABBOTT FIRES BACK AT CHRISTY CLARK

At 12:53 p.m. Thursday, the George Abbott campaign released the following statement.

"Christy Clark has launched a media campaign claiming that she is the subject of “negative attacks” from myself and other members.

But here is the truth. The opinions and concerns I have expressed are not about being positive or negative. This is about seeking accountability from those running for Premier, and establishing a clear contrast between candidates so that BC Liberal members understand they have a fundamental choice in front of them.

This is not about Ms. Clark as an individual, but it is about the highly controversial and contradictory positions that she has presented over the past three months. There is nothing wrong with me, or any other party member, asking her to be accountable for those positions.

Trying to silence discussion around legitimate issues as “negative” does nothing to help members make a decision, and does nothing to drive democracy in our Party."

George Abbott

BC Liberal Leadership Candidate

UPDATE #2 - GEORGE ABBOTT ACCUSES CHRISTY CLARK OF BEING BACKED BY "BC NDP INSIDERS"



Public Eye Online's indefatigable digger Sean Holman has uncovered an attack by George Abbott on Christy Clark in which Abbott claims Clark is being "supported by NDP insiders who see her as the easiest opponent to beat to bring the NDP back to power in 2013".

Could Abbott be referring to Clark campaign spokesperson and ex-BC NDP Caucus Communications Director Brad Zubyk? 

The ex-Premier Mike Harcourt era Zubyk - who has also worked for Phil Hochstein's BC Liberal-loving ICBA, the federal Liberal Party and other even more dubious international clients - is more than likely who Abbott is targetting, though rumours of other Dippers for Christy continue.

But Zubyk's loyalties tend to end with his last paycheque - and his Christy Clark role has more to do with getting an in with a possible premier than helping out the BC NDP - where his bridges are burned..