Skip to content

LETTER: politicians need to do what's best for the majority, not just supporters

Dear editor: Re: If Up Against a Wall of Right-wing Government, Then What? April 10 opinion column by legislative reporter Keith Baldrey.
CPT510540499.jpg
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responds to a question during Question Period in the House of Commons, Monday, February 5, 2018 in Ottawa. Canada's spending watchdog says he still does not have access to the full data his office needs to evaluate the amount of money Ottawa loses each year due to offshore tax havens and tax avoidance schemes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand

Dear editor:

Re: If Up Against a Wall of Right-wing Government, Then What? April 10 opinion column by legislative reporter Keith Baldrey.

Interesting take on how Baldrey suggests that the “radical right-wing populists” could gain power federally in Alberta and nationally this election season.

In Canada, there is no “right wing,” politically. All governments in Canada, from municipal to federal are left of centre - some more leftish and some more centrist, but all are left.

Baldrey's concern that B.C. would be left alone, the bulwark against right-wing conservativism is mis-placed. That voters would aggressively abandon former governments is a simple testament to the main virtue of our democracy: we can throw the bums out.

If governments do change, the premier of B.C. will have to work with and not against other provincial governments and the federal government to the betterment of the country, not narrow, local interests. That idea is both amusing and radical; hopefully, we have a premier that can work with others that aren't on his side of left.

For the sake of us all, political parties need to move beyond the simplistic three step construct of getting elected, paying back their single issue clients with public funds or legislation and finally, of course, keeping power.

Do what is best for the majority and not just your supporters. Try that and enjoy being re-elected.

Clay Atcheson
City of North Vancouver

What are your thoughts? Send us a letter via email by clicking here or post a comment below.