tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post7541362443735967243..comments2023-07-25T02:39:44.615-07:00Comments on Bill Tieleman: BC NDP MLA Jenny Kwan calls for leader Carole James to resign, NDP to hold leadership convention over James' failuresBill Tielemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03304971610140279157noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-12666633076723698842010-12-06T19:46:08.825-08:002010-12-06T19:46:08.825-08:00Thank you Paul for pointing out the wasteful spend...Thank you Paul for pointing out the wasteful spending the party elite are engaging in. Couldn't they find somewhere to hold a meeting that wouldn't cost anything, or at least only a nominal fee? The last time I checked, there are halls all over the province. This is why people think the NDP can't be trusted with public funds.<br /><br />So Carole James has resigned. Good luck to her and to her successor. I don't have a problem with people criticizing her leadership, but I detest the way these people turned on her. And to the party elite please, get rid of Moe and all the other 1990s baggage or or you won't get my vote in the next election.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-22548246020698001692010-12-05T14:38:19.667-08:002010-12-05T14:38:19.667-08:00STATEMENT FROM B.C. NDP CAUCUS CHAIR KATHY CORRIGA...<b>STATEMENT FROM B.C. NDP CAUCUS CHAIR KATHY CORRIGAN<br /><br />For Immediate Release<br />Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010<br /><br />VANCOUVER –</b> Kathy Corrigan, acting chair of the B.C. New Democrat caucus,released the following statement today:<br /><br /><i>"The New Democrat caucus meeting planned for 4 p.m. today has been postponed. Time is being given for private discussions to ensure that the clear direction set by our leader and our party is followed: to unite and offer British Columbians a positive progressive alternative in the next election."</i><br /><br /><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/44715156/Statement-from-B-C-NDP-caucus-chair-Kathy-Corrigan" rel="nofollow"> Corrigan Statement!</a><br />-------<br />And there you go.<br /><br />Carole James tried to bluff and at the last minute folded her hand.<br /><br />That is NOT leadership.<br /><br />"Private discussions"?<br /><br />"The clear direction set by our leader"?<br /><br />Give us all a break.<br /><br /><b>Jenny Kwan:</b> <i>"Whenever a challenging policy decision arises, often the default position is to avoid taking a stand."</i><br /><br />Carole James obviously proved Jenny Kwan correct today.<br /><br />Carole James is not capable of making the tough decisions and she refuses to step aside for someone who can.<br /><br />The BC Liberal Party LOVES Carol James.Paulnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-13606127953212514292010-12-05T08:18:38.355-08:002010-12-05T08:18:38.355-08:00Nobody should point their fingers at Jenny, she wa...Nobody should point their fingers at Jenny, she was carrying the message of many, and the message should be listened to, as she is the most senior MLA in the NDP. Kicking her and the rest out of the caucus won't clear up anything. The voters don't trust her to manage much of anything, and their collective votes sure beat a small group of yes people in the Provincial council. Maybe the council likes to keep things as they are, with the party coming in second one more time. Best think carefully Moe an Carole as to what great deeds you are about to do todayDPLnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-18078811380363221412010-12-05T02:47:30.015-08:002010-12-05T02:47:30.015-08:00Carole James is NOT a leader.
She ejected Bob Sim...Carole James is NOT a leader.<br /><br />She ejected Bob Simpson from caucus in October for next to nothing (on Moe Sahota's orders, of course).<br /><br />On Nov. 20, Carole James said she was drawing a line in the sand and Jenny Kwan crossed the line kicked the sand right in her face.<br /><br /><b>Jenny Kwan</b>: <i>"Under Carole James’ leadership, there has been a steady erosion of our democratic principles. Debate has been stifled, decision-making centralized, and individual MLAs marginalized."<br /><br />"As well, for too long there has been a clear lack of direction under the leadership of Carole James. Whenever a challenging policy decision arises, often the default position is to avoid taking a stand."<br /><br />"Carole James is dividing the party by staying on as leader."</i><br /><br />There's not another provincial leader in the history of Canada that would allow any of their MLA's to crow off publicly like that without expelling them from caucus.<br /><br /><b>Carole James</b>: <i>"Every MLA will be held accountable for their behaviour."</i><br /><br />NONSENSE!<br /><br /><b>Carole James</b>: <i>"It is time to say enough of this kind of behaviour."</i><br /><br />NONSENSE!<br /><br /><b>Carole James</b>: <i>"Our party is at stake"</i><br /><br />NONSENSE!<br /><br />Her job is at stake.<br /><br />On Sunday, when Carole James REFUSES to expel Jenny Kwan she will prove to everyone that she is not a leader and that Jenny's words, <i>"the default position is to avoid taking a stand"</i> are 100% correct.<br /><br />The NDP has been e-mailing people for donations saying they don't even have enough for a by-election and then on Nov. 20 they had a convention at one of the most luxurious hotels in Victoria and on Sunday they will have an emergency meeting at the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver.<br /><br />They don't need my money.Paulnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-75263485883300087692010-12-04T19:18:17.969-08:002010-12-04T19:18:17.969-08:00I don't know what's happening behind the s...I don't know what's happening behind the scenes, or power struggles in the NDP. All I know is Carole James has lead the NDP through two elections, is still unpopular with the voters AND not seen as Premier material. That is political death.Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-17200739434708863582010-12-04T15:45:23.277-08:002010-12-04T15:45:23.277-08:00Jenny kwans' actions haveall but destroyed the...Jenny kwans' actions haveall but destroyed the NDP party. It is time for all to lpull together - of course we have our differences but this is no time to squabble like little children. <br />There is a leadership convention coming up in 2011. Can you not wait or are you that anxious to take over immediatly.<br />carol James is a good leader - she does not rant and rave but takes her time before she states her case.<br />The media lhas done their best to bring her down and Jenny qwan is feeding the lfodder.<br />Please pull together so that we might beat the liveral party.<br />I will no longer support the party if you take Carol out.<br /><br /><br /><br />frankieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-5514498516501438462010-12-04T15:29:05.265-08:002010-12-04T15:29:05.265-08:00Maybe some questions will be answered tomorrow. Ma...Maybe some questions will be answered tomorrow. Maybe not, but either way, the party has to pull up it's socks, find a person to be a leader and then go on to blow the Liberals out of the water. with the present so called leader it will be just more of the same. How could the executive screw up so badly? If it means a split off of over a dozen MLA's ,it might be for the best. Drop James and her non elected party president and things would pick up within days. Carole and Moe riding out into the sunsetDPLnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-75669610381135481792010-12-04T14:47:41.530-08:002010-12-04T14:47:41.530-08:00Carols James keeps saying that these MLA’s will be...Carols James keeps saying that these MLA’s will be held accountable. When will she get that they are trying to hold her accountable? She does not get it. She has become as arrogant as Campbell and even he got it in the end. She needs to be gone for the good of the party.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-25149485937336286562010-12-04T13:23:32.942-08:002010-12-04T13:23:32.942-08:00When Joy and Jenny were alone in the legislature m...When Joy and Jenny were alone in the legislature most community activists had to feed them material because the BC Liberals were not generous enough to grant them party status. They had no research budget. <br />As a pactivist (parent activist) I helped to coordinate gathering stories from all the parents at our local community school about what the inner city programs meant to them as the Liberals were slashing education funding. With the parents' full permission, Jenny read their stories in the legislature as Liberals mocked her for shedding tears at some of the stories. Our voices would have been silent in the legislature without Joy and Jenny.<br />Attacks on the integrity of our NDP MLA's by each other are egged on by media who love to cover a scrap. All the drama with none of the actual research or analysis of an issue!<br />Anyone else feel sick about seeing all the Kevin Falcon facebook ads with his baby? The BC Liberals are already starting a fear campaign that looks to be designed to prey on Simpson's comments about Carole's weakness in articulating the NDP's economic platform. <br />A leadership campaign with the opportunity to get some progressive policies out there would be a lot more constructive than what is going on right now....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-23597850870172009492010-12-04T09:59:09.495-08:002010-12-04T09:59:09.495-08:00So I read the schrek article lambasting Jenny Kwan...So I read the schrek article lambasting Jenny Kwan and wasn't surprised to learn that it was full of nothing. He didn't examine the critisms of the 13 he didn't even list them he just shot from the hip. His kind of journalim on this is not likely to be much help in bringing the party together but will only harden the positions.Hazeleyeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05998566788825974343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-58081917712241073332010-12-04T09:51:03.808-08:002010-12-04T09:51:03.808-08:00It is interesting that the Libs who have declared ...It is interesting that the Libs who have declared so far are all doing their best to distance themselves from campbell. These are guys in caucus who obviously didn't advance their good ideas forcefully enough to make a difference. Now they are all saying we have to raise the minimum wage. One of the few good ideas the NDP have had and its been coopted by the Libs. To win the election we have to do so much more.Hazeleyeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05998566788825974343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-84328745718043354202010-12-04T09:40:15.460-08:002010-12-04T09:40:15.460-08:00I've been a member of the NDP for many years a...I've been a member of the NDP for many years and have worked on their behalf for many years but am feeling more and more like I've been duped. When I read the posts on this site I don't see a discussion of what the party needs to do but instead critism of Jenny Kwan for finally speaking her mind. What that tells me that were rich in critism and shallow in policy and principles - maybe a new party is a good idea.Hazeleyeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05998566788825974343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-78466798315672533232010-12-04T09:23:44.623-08:002010-12-04T09:23:44.623-08:00Anon needs to see the bigger picture which should ...Anon needs to see the bigger picture which should include increasing voter apathy driven by neither of these parties walk the talk. We have no problem believing this about the Libs but the thought that its true of the NDP doesn't compute. But it is true of them as well. All the People who critize Carol are saying they hear of policy decisions in the paper rather than in caucus. For the first time in the history of the party the president is being paid by the unions. Think of the optics and then remember that this is Moe Sihota who is skilled in skirting the edge of legality. And who hasn't experienced Carol contradicting herself to suit her audience. The NDP's only chance is a leadership convention soon.Hazeleyeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05998566788825974343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-74403064739148650692010-12-04T09:02:04.924-08:002010-12-04T09:02:04.924-08:00I admire Jenny Kwan's stand.
Carole James is ...I admire Jenny Kwan's stand.<br /><br />Carole James is an mess of her own making:<br />* eight years of lack lustre opposition<br />* no defined policies<br />* side-lining elected MLAs<br />* firing Bob Simpson without due process<br />* the yellow scarf fiasco<br /><br />The NDP wouldn't have won the next election anyways with Carole James as leader (and now certainly won't if she stays). <br /><br />She doesn't connect with the big pool of undecided voters (see polls and blogs) who want a third choice.off-the-radarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-12903942342124961742010-12-04T07:21:44.246-08:002010-12-04T07:21:44.246-08:00I agree with Jenny Kwan. I will not vote for Carol...I agree with Jenny Kwan. I will not vote for Carole James and I have voted NDP all my life. My extended family feels the same and will not likely vote for her although I cannot speak for them directly. They are not enamored with Carole James' performance either. I think that she is probably a good person but not a great leader and is behaving much like Gordon Campbell. He didn't want to leave either and is hanging on by his finger nails as is she. How can she look herself in the mirror after she loses the next election (which she will)? I think she is very selfish and is hanging on for her pension. My message to Carole James is, stop thinking of yourself first and give the party the chance that they need. Thank you. MAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-45920003808680034412010-12-03T21:33:34.258-08:002010-12-03T21:33:34.258-08:00Instead of citing clear and specific examples of w...Instead of citing clear and specific examples of what she claims are serious problems, Kwan strings together more than 30 paragraphs of whining and solipsistic generality.<br /><br />Phrases like: "Under Carole James' leadership, there has been a steady erosion of our democratic principles. Debate has been stifled, decision-making centralized, and individual MLAs marginalized."<br /><br />This stuff in meaningless. Light without heat; smoke with no fire.<br /><br />A responsible adult DOES NOT behave this way; does not seek to destroy a party with a hundred year long tradition of cooperation and respect.<br /><br />If Jenny Kwan had serious concerns with Carole James's leadership which had risen to the level of crying fire in a crowded theater, because that is what her action amounts to, then <b>she needed to bring forward something more concrete than weak generalities and 'hurt feelings'.</b> <br /><br />One does not seek to destroy a colleague and an organization with such an incendiary attack unless the case can be made more convincingly than this one has.<br /><br />Ms Kwan and her small rump of malcontents have brought shame on themselves and discredit on the principles of social democratic cooperation.<br /><br />There is nothing heroic in her stand. On the basis of her ill-defined and poorly articulated 'feelings' she will likely have succeeded in setting back the prospect of achieving social democracy and progressive change in this province by at least a decade.G Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09487763931438315174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-7278815180760707102010-12-03T21:23:06.220-08:002010-12-03T21:23:06.220-08:00Kick the 13 out now and be done with it. They obvi...Kick the 13 out now and be done with it. They obviously don't care about the NDP at all. It will be good riddens to this disgraceful group. Let's see how they do without the party.Delianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-11075488717302941932010-12-03T12:02:04.370-08:002010-12-03T12:02:04.370-08:00Anonymous said, "any challenge to the leader ...Anonymous said, "any challenge to the leader should have happened behind closed doors". Please see Corky Evans open letter. He states that Carole James was approached by MLA's in confidentiality, and she went crying to the rest of the caucus and the party executive, and identified the members who suggested it was time for a leadership change. That is how the dozen or so members who didn't get yellow scarves at the PC were identified. <br />Ms. James is using bully tactics and the apparatus of the party exec and staff to stifle dissent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-40559158604755543342010-12-03T10:25:45.515-08:002010-12-03T10:25:45.515-08:00It is a shame about the timing. It basically destr...It is a shame about the timing. It basically destroys all the work and time people like myself who volunteered for both the Fight HST and Recall campaigns put into these efforts.<br /><br />Also, if memory serves me right it was Kwan who was partly responsible for bringing Harcourt down and replacing him with Clark who destroyed the NDP.<br /><br />Thanks alot Jenny!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-523179238613467102010-12-03T10:15:16.974-08:002010-12-03T10:15:16.974-08:00Interesting. But why is Labour involved in a meeti...Interesting. But why is Labour involved in a meeting that encompasses only the caucus and the Provincial Executive??<br /><br />They should not be involved anywhere within how a caucus operates.<br /><br />The payout to Sihota is a sham and every NDPer should be ashamed of themselves.<br /><br />If Big Business was able to attend caucus meetings, there would be one loud squeal from the opposition.<br /><br />So who exactly is being corrupt at this point of time? Definately the NDP.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-11025348265628872432010-12-03T02:37:22.495-08:002010-12-03T02:37:22.495-08:00Bill can take criticism --he's a tough guy!
T...Bill can take criticism --he's a tough guy!<br /><br />This party lost all credibility for me when they put Moe Sihota back at the helm. How many times does someone have to be removed from cabinet before you admit they shouldn't be involved? Representation is a privilege, not the right of someone who can manipulate their way there. And Moe, if you're reading this (and I hope you are) for a man of your financial means to be taking a salary that far surpasses the median income of a British Columbian FAMILY--off the backs of union workers no less-- is more tasteless than I can articulate. Shame on you.<br /><br />Carol James is a decent person, who I believe to be sincerely concerned about people and issues. Tonight was the first time she has looked like a leader to me. I hope she rolls with it. This could be the best thing that has ever happened to her, but I bet it hurt. The NDP's revival in the legislature owes much to her work as leader, which seems to have been forgotten by the baker's dozen<br /><br />I also believe Jenny Kwan is sincerely concerned about social justice but she has proven that she isn't nearly as bright as she thinks she is. Kwan has broken an unwritten rule in this game, namely, you cross the leader at your peril. I shake my head when I read her comments about her 14 years of experience as she simultaneously sticks a metaphorical gun to her leader's head. She deserves to be removed from caucus as do the others who backed this move, not only for the sheer stupidity of it, but simply because a leader of any merit simply has no other way to deal with a mutiny if they want to remain at the helm.<br /><br />5)Any leadership challenge by caucus should have taken place behind closed doors. This "the end justifies the means" mentality is precisely why so many people don't want to see the BC-NDP anywhere near the west annex --let alone the treasury-- again.<br /><br /> It may be time for a new leader, but I will be intrigued to see what this provokes in Carole James. I don't think she's just drawn a line in the sand, I think it's a trench now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-6019419122350557052010-12-02T23:49:24.452-08:002010-12-02T23:49:24.452-08:00Carole James is a fraud. She drew her line in th...Carole James is a fraud. She drew her line in the sand, Kwan clearly crossed that line, and now Carole James sits back like a coward and does not know what to do.<br /><br />You scarf wearers need to lighten up on Bill. He is trying to save the party that Carole James will soon destroy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-52803669285298155842010-12-02T22:06:56.727-08:002010-12-02T22:06:56.727-08:00warning off topic:
does anyone else get startled ...warning off topic:<br /><br />does anyone else get startled every now and then that our MLA's have not been in the legislature for ages? How long exactly has it been? How is this democratic?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-64468266621838065492010-12-02T19:47:44.992-08:002010-12-02T19:47:44.992-08:00Anon,2:59 the two member NDP had a very limited st...Anon,2:59 the two member NDP had a very limited staff, and you say you were one of them. Jumping back and forth between the two places that estimates were being held, plus question period and having a kid sort of kept Jenny pretty busy. But let's remember, it isn't just her that is complaining about Ms.James performance. Watching her on TV this evening makes me wonder who is writing her stuff today. She it tying hard to look like a leader and it isn't selling. One wonders just how much of the caucus shows up for the meeting, along with the hired hands and other council supporters. But something has to be settled and throwing out half the caucus isn't going to impress those folks called voters who simply have tuned her out a few years ago. James used to be my MLA and her lack of information passing to the locals showed her lack of interest in the folks who actually voted for her, but don't anymore.<br />Back to writing questions. Lots of us did that sort of thing and heaven forbid we wrote something the elected member didn't like. Maybe if you actually chose a name the rest of us might get a handle on just who is claiming to be a staffer or ex staffer.<br /><br />"Leadership is an intangible art" was stated often in our leadership courses.I don't see a lot of leadership in ms.DithersDPLnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-47958132389729696102010-12-02T19:23:19.375-08:002010-12-02T19:23:19.375-08:00Is it any wonder that politics attracts bullies an...Is it any wonder that politics attracts bullies and their word spinning sophists in order to keep a tight rein on the Kwans / Bennetts who stray from the fold? Do we really need more Glens and Gordos? Bring in proportional rep ( not half-assed academic STV ) so blended opinions can prevail and we can lay to rest the worst of these political suicide missions.<br /><br />"Et tu Brute" Kwan is going to destroy the NDP in order to save it, civil war will reign and while the NDP 100K a year per head caucus blows its first big chance in 8 years, we substitute Christmas food drive pageants for social jsutice while even greater inequality reigns. Pat yourselves on the back, NDP stalwarts.<br /><br />It's no win for Carol, she couldn't rein in the "it's all about me critics", how is she going to lead a government? This is just plain stupid and profoundly depressing.<br /><br />Social justice takes a back seat to internecine bullshit. Where the hell is Dave Barrett when you need him?<br /><br />The Fibs are laughing all the way to the bank. Oy vey, it's a shonda!GetAGriphttp://SocialJustice.comnoreply@blogger.com