May 5, 2010 - 9:49 am |
Posted by Jonathan Ross
I have always found the “non-partisan” label of the NPA confusing on a number of different fronts. The concept of having candidates that do not adhere to any particular policy, all under one banner, is confusing to say the least. Because if you don’t stand for anything in particular, where is the appeal for the electorate?
Arguments that claim that non-affiliation to any political party allows for decision-making that is representative of the people is a bunch of hogwash. The real reason that the NPA succeeded for so many years was because no alternative on Vancouver’s municipal political spectrum existed between them and COPE, which never had the appeal or know-how to gain widespread appeal (not without Larry Campbell as their anchor, at least).
Vision Vancouver was able to provide that middle ground, and through superb candidate selection, a popular and dynamic Mayor, and progressive policies balanced with a perspective for business and fiscal considerations, the party successfully took the NPA off its perch.
But as this video from the Georgia Straight clearly demonstrates, the NPA still haven’t learned that their stand for nothing approach is not going to cut the mustard when it comes to capturing back the imaginations of the electorate.
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April 30, 2010 - 12:07 pm |
Posted by Jonathan Ross
Even if Mike Klassen isn't officially running for an NPA nomination quite yet, he definitely seems to be speed walking towards that conclusion.
First, some thoughts on the Vision AGM…
Contrary to some reports, the meeting attracted 300+ people , in spite of the fact that the agenda and the tasks at hand were mundane at best. Unlike other parties/organizations/associations who are in the midst of a full-on identity crisis, Vision Vancouver’s AGM worked like clockwork. A report from the executive, a speech by new ED Ian Baillie, and a vote for 9 people all acclaimed to the executive (confusing? absolutely!).
But the one thing that struck me about the sentiments in the room is that there is heart and passion within the membership,the executive members, and most importantly, the elected caucus, that go far beyond electoral success.
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March 9, 2010 - 9:06 am |
Posted by Jonathan Ross
COPE and Vision Vancouver sang and danced together in 2008, but will their tryst continue in the 2011 electoral campaign?
The recent utterings of hypocrisy by Councillor Ellen Woodsworth and Councillor David Cadman have got me thinking about the electoral cooperation that COPE and Vision Vancouver successfully exercised in the 2008 civic election.
(On a side note, I will be very interested to see how many events Councillor Woodsworth actually attended during the Olympics, as the rumour is that she was frantically asking for tickets to any event she could possibly insert herself into – regardless of comments by her colleague Councillor Cadman about said tickets being “a perk of position.”)
The deal between COPE and Vision currently remains in limbo, as both sides seem to be content to let things be ironed out at the last minute, as was the case in 2008.
Here are the strategic considerations for both sides to consider in a conversation that would be wise to have sooner rather than later.
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