‘EXCLUSIVE’ BREAKING NEWS: Mutiny On the Devoutly–BC Conservative Leader John Cummins Being Shown the Door…
It was only a matter of time…
I can confirm that John Cummins’ leadership of the BC Conservatives is tenuous at best and ANY protest to the contrary by his backers or party brass, is pure unadulterated bunk.
(1) Apparently, last week’s release announcing right wing extremist Randy White as a campaign advisor was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Nevermind the over 400 members, who have contacted me privately, heeding my call to abandon ship, there are very senior players that are EXTREMELY unhappy with the manner all sorts of issues are being dealt with, and all the problems emanate from the bailiwick of one man: leader (for now) John Cummins.
(2) Did you know that John Cummins is being paid FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS per month to be leader? No? Well, you do now. Approved by the BC Conservatives feckless Board of Directors in July, Cummins is basically being rewarded for mediocrity: Being the gleeful recipient of the Christy Clark protest vote. He’s receiving a bloody honorarium for being a failure, as he hasn’t moved the needle forward on his own at all! Moreover, what does it say about Cummins’ commitment to purpose? His want for a better province? His belief in his cause? The BC Conservatives are giving him FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS per month–THAT THEY CAN ILL-AFFORD–SOMETHING CUMMINS IS WELL–AWARE OF. What does this say about Cummins’ ability to manage the province, when he isn’t afraid to so significantly indebt his own party?! WOULD YOU TRUST SOMEONE LIKE THAT? NOT ME.
(3) Last Saturday a duly called meeting of the Board of Directors was had. It included top party brass, election readiness team members and a few candidates. Cummins and party president, gay-hating ‘Pastor’ Reed Elley, mysteriously couldn’t make it. Why? Let me help: Because the flurry of emails previous to the meeting–almost 100 of them, with a few high profile directors demanding a motion of non-confidence, had Cummins and Elley–tough guys, NOT, running for cover. What courage! Well, another meeting was eventually had on Sunday, with many of the same people in the room. And, indeed, a motion of non-confidence was tabled, but the dimwits in the room defending Cummins, all started wailing away about the constitutionality of the motion and their by-laws, plus other related FOOLISH, IRRELEVANT sidebars. I gather there wasn’t a lawyer among them, or at least someone that understood ‘Robert’s Rules of Order’ or ‘George Demeter’s Book of Parliamentary Law’. Of the intelligent set (and should be commended for caring about the legitimacy of their party and the province) are Vice-President Ben Besler, Director-at-Large, John Crocock and Vancouver Regional Director Milan Kljajic. The three of them support leadership review and said so. Essentially, without disliking Cummins, the three of them–at least the three of them, recognize that Cummins needs to go. Adding White to the team is the same garbage Cummins offered when he told me that Elley wasn’t his choice for “front-row” advisor. And yet, Cummins allowed Elley exactly that not a fewmonths later!
With his nose out of joint over all this, very curiously, and now resigned, is Jeff Bridge, another Director-at-Large, who apparently didn’t like the motion, although he has admitted to BC Conservative hierarchs, that Cummins’ leadership is a “major problem.” Although Bridge, in the past, has stopped during family visits and work to take my calls, he’s been cowardly ducking me the last two days and sent me an absurd, perfunctory email about how he would call this evening to discuss the obvious. No such call came. Gutless. But as a courtesy, I sent him a final text prior to posting this story. He refused to respond. Pity, as I like Bridge, but his behavior is cowardly and beneath contempt. At least a ‘No Comment’…would have sufficed.
(4) Cummins has THRICE had conversations with party hierarchs and called the evening of the very same day, having forgotten the earlier discussion, and sounded scattered and vacant.
(5) Cummins hordes the decision-making, claiming that press releases, etc are all “party decisions.” In fact, he approves all of them and when complaints are made about Elley’s terminal uselessness, he falls silent, only to support the offending party instead of getting to the bottom of the problem.
(6) There are some superb local candidates in the Interior that haven’t been properly supported with infrastructure and money. When this was recently brought to Cummins’ attention, he blewit off.
(7) There may be legal issues with their database contract–including possible privacy issues. Cummins was confronted with this by multiple members, MONTHS AGO. Nothing has been done, in fact, he blew that off as well.
(8) What does it says about a party that attacks Christy Clark about the secrecy, lack of openness and transparency in her party, but commits to the very same acts, in spades?
(9) What does it say about a party that hasn’t been able to keep its best advisers: Andrea Smith, Neil McIver, Jeff Bridge, Warren Smith??? These are people who have been in the trenches and Andrea Smith, in senior ministerial executive roles–and they’re all gone. Replaced by has-beens: Randy White, Reed Elley and now, curiously–unbelievably, Will McMartin, who I thought was a columnist for ‘The Tyee’ online! This is the problem I have with people that think journalism has a revolving door. McMartin, who I dealt with years ago during my Socred days, has a sketchy record of campaign “accomplishments”, including the ’96 debacle. Nice enough man, but not someone who can advance the BC Conservative cause. I preferred him as a columnist. For shame, if the ‘The Tyee’ editorial board thinks this doesn’t hurt their credibility. It hurts journalism.
And McMartin was hand-picked by John Cummins.
Essentially, the problem here is the leader. He’s attracted default support and done nothing else except put his foot in it, on everything from declaring the HST sound policy, to knee-jerk support for the Enbridge pipeline (which should not be built) to his STILL bizarre thoughts on homosexuality being a “behavioral choice.” For shame.
Now, for those on the BC Liberal side celebrating this news, don’t pop those champagne corks just yet.
I have a little something for your leader…very soon.
But what a disaster the BC Conservatives are under Cummins. They are badly divided; led by no shortage of losers and consumed by the undercurrents of incompetency and foolishness. He has got to go, and anyone thinking otherwise hasn’t the first clue how to arrive at an election win.
Nor deserves one.
Incidentally, I reached BC Conservative MLAJohn vanDongen at his home and he was happy to take time away from dinner to offer a stern, but polite, ‘Alex, there’s no way you’re going to get anything out of me except a firm ‘No Comment’. Okay? I’m sure you’ve already got lots to write about anyway. Take care and thanks for calling.”
I ask again: What does THAT tell you?
What a train wreck Cummins has caused.
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NOTE:
In anticipation of their dirty laundry being aired by me, the BC Conswervatives have sent preemptive messaging to certain members of the media this evening. Apparently, they claim it’s in their constitution to have a leadership review in September. No it’s not. The option is there, but there is nothing in there that they MUST follow. So, you can bet that unless this is nipped in the bud now, and Cummins along with his church group and has-beens, aren’t immediately fired, there will be a duel to the death by their Langley convention on September 22nd, and if Cummins’ forces win, the party shatters and they don’t win a single seat. YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST.
But if they do something intelligent, and install someone else, with credibility and experience, then they have a shot of getting past the 20% in the polls and perhaps electing a handful of MLAs. Other wise, they can forget it.
The can forget everything.
He gets $4K a month? I really didn’t know that! I know he is retired from federal politics so should be in receipt of a fairly decent pension. If he is asking & getting $4K a month from a party which can’t afford it, he shouldn’t be leader. That is not the type of leader the conservatives or any party in this situation should have. It says something about their basic make up. As you pointed out there are some good candidates in the interior. I am sure they could use some of that money to work on their community profile, if only to post ads.
Randy White has seen better days & should stay retired. He doesn’t create a lot of confidence that he can do anything but bring the provincial conservatives down.
Now of course I am not a conservative or liberal, but given the lieberals aren’t going to pick up many votes in the next election, I honestly believe, to have a democracy, you have to have another party to vote for. If that could have been the conservatives, so be it. People need to vote & that would have given them an alternative. Given the information your column has just provided I doubt many will now see the conservatives as an alternative. from the sounds of it they aren’t much better than the lieberals with the ole give me ,give me attitidue.
Glad to see a column again. Yes I know you have a life beyond the blog so thanks for this column. I must say it was as entertaining as informative.
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We aim to please…
I’ve been running my Challenger pretty hard on the province’s highways and I’ve preparing for the fall. LOTS of BC Rail material. And, oh, a few more docs with the Premier’s name all over them…trying to also spend some time with the kids before they’re back at school.
Lots going on. No hints. I’ve done that in the past and jinxed myself.
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Enjoy the time with your kids Alex. I’m on the shores of Kamloops lake, spending time with my sons and grandbabies. The happy expressions on the kids faces when ol’ Gramps cracks open the throttle on the good ship Missconstrue dcan’t be bought or sold. nor the merories that will last a lifetime.
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Dammit I hate laptops….
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You bet! Love that area by the way.
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Sadly, too little too late.
NDP wins & business exits BC. Most do not dare the hatred of non-union profit that the NDP oozes at every mouthpiece.
The lying Liberals need to be booted and charged and incarcerated … full stop.
Cummins and Randy White ant their entourage need to get … sent out to pasture … permanently.
Why cannot we get the Bennett’s back or some other small time crooks that understand they cannot steal more than 10% from the public coffer without destabilizing the system.
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That’s right, everyone, the NDP is communist. Don’t forget that.
Ay ay ayyyyy…
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NDP wins & business exits BC. ….,what a joke hears one for ya ….two .” fear mongering Harperites walking into a conservative office ” …So you put down Liberals ,Ok justified …You put down the up-start (again) BC conservatives (definitely a lot of issues to work out before they can seriously be considered ) …and of course the ever present (NDP/Commie’s ) Wow , I bet you voted for Campbell every time ….http://www.politicalcompass.org/index , A little help your obviously in a political fog ….cheers
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“NDP wins & business exits BC” Why don’t you check your facts Christopher. There were more new investments for computers and technical science while the NDP were in power than since this lying bunch of corrupt Fiscal Conservative have been in power. Conservatives in general support multi-national business who have shown over recent BC and Canadian history, to shut down business and ndustrie’s here and move them to more “tax friendly” environments. That leaves the rest of us to pick up the tax tab for these liars and support the people left in the aftermath of the Business Friendly governments!
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Ron you might want to re-check that. There wasn’t much that can be attributed directly to NDP activity at the time. It was (during Harcourt’s time) a peak of the dot com environment a time of when Windows Three Point One One came out and sometime called Mosaic entered followed soon after by Netscape the PC’s of many homes. Blogs did not exist but BBSes did, and even back then the BC Liberals had a functional BBS that attracted quite a few (given the limited scope of internet providers back then and the fastest you could connect with was 28.8k to 33.6k ) participants, the NDP had nothing like that.
Internet dot com’s at the time were many,and none of that growth can be directly attributed to what the NDP did. Computer software companies in the late 1980s to mid 1990s were many, and many collapsed because of very quick saturation of the market, and the legendary cannablistic nature of the computing and software company living environment.
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I was responding to Marius ….I support NDP
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If business leaves, they will have made an irrational decision to be petulant. Whatever resources they were extracting when they left will be picked up and a profit made by someone else.
What will be reversed is that the middle class will be relieved of paying the tax share that business was paying and making a profit while doing so.
There is room for blunder by the NDP but when the party leader’s mentor is the CEO of one of Canada’s 10 largest corporations, there is some very real and genuine business competence that can be tapped into. Lets hope he does.
This fictitious social construct that we have to eliminate all taxes and royalties for corporations and let those same corporations be bought out by foreign (communist dictatorship) governments (yes, China) or BC LIberal party friends means that we are just piping all of our wealth and capital offshore to others, with nothing made by us. The provincial finances prove out the folly of this lunatic economic theory.
(I do think the NDP needs to get rid of Sihota).
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Agreed. He carries a lot of negative baggage. Recent resignation of ICBC ceo and exposure of 50%increase in executive employees and “confidential” executive employees at ICBC with exhorbitant salaries and bonuses are the reason we are now fettered with an 11% increase in rates. Falcon is trying to exonnerate his involvement along with other previous ICBC ministers such as Shirley Bond. Another example of Liberal egregious financial conduct toward taxpaying citizens
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There is room for blunder by the NDP but when the party leader’s mentor is the CEO of one of Canada’s 10 largest corporations, there is some very real and genuine business competence that can be tapped into.
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Not sure about Clark being a Dix mentor. I would say his mentor would be closer to a Van Jones or Barack Obama type. Why didnt he have a Glen Clark business type speak at the recent convention of the NDP rather than Van Jones?
As well the verdict really isnt in on Glen Clark in the business world. Sure the Pattison Group has and is doing well but lets face it, it’s Jimmy’s company and he is the boss.
Just because he is CEO doesn’t mean he suddenly is BC’s version of Steve Jobs. Come and talk to me after Pattison leaves and Clark runs the company for 2-3 years. Until then the Pattison Group’s success is thanks to Jim Pattison and anybody else taking credit is a stretch.
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yea I guess your right, according to todays province more and more young people are heading out of dodge, so it would only follow that Business would to.I can see with one eye that this is the NDP’S fault, I mean the fast ferry’s and the lost transit ticket is the cause.F##k I think some of your ultra right wing sacks of sh@t should give your heads a shake. You drive me nuts with your narrow mindedness. But take heart you are not alone I just spent 3 weeks in the UK. There is a lot like you guy’s over there spouting have truths ans misinformation over there too
Cheers..
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Marius, you’re not really up on the news.
“Business” has been lining up at Dix’s door for months. They see clearly that Princess Enron has 78% of the population against her; that Cummins philosophy of More-Gordon-Campbell-Than-Gordon-Campbell is political suicide and that leaves nowhere else to turn..
Will very bad businesses desert the province? You mean the ones who haven’t already gone offshore, and said “Up Yours! to the province? Submission to extortion-by-other-means is not a sane criteria for electing any corporation’s favourite meal ticket. 11 years of extravagantly expensive Corporate Socialism has turned off too many people.
A doubled provincial debt of $80 Billion has dug us into a hole. The Hydro\IPP scam, detailed by Rafe Mair, adds another $42 Billion of debt obligation.
Business has seen enough of Campbell, Clark, their grandiose scams and the currently undocumened damage done to business.
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Ontario is fretting over their debt…..which is miniscule compared to what the Liberals have done to BC. It may be almost impossible for BC to recover in reasonable time from this debt load. BC will be in this dire financial vice for many years unless we all wise up and seriously require talented and honest politicians and have a mechanism to remove them individually for bad decisions.
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2600 have left so far this year as compared to 900 last year if I heard correctly. It seems CC and her corrupt business buddies are way ahead of the NDP in this regard. Alex if Cummins is getting 4 should Dummy maybe get somewhat less.
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To add a little balance to AGT’s post:
Only the BC Conservatives didn’t pick the worst possible choice for their leader … for three reasons:
1) No one else ran for the BC Conservatives
2) The BC Conservatives have worse choices, unlike the Libs or NDP.
3) He didn’t have to cheat to become leader (see #1).
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http://www.bcconservative.ca/media/2012/02/Oct-16-2010-Purposes-and-Bylaws-of-Society.pdf
9.03 A Leadership review will be held in conjunction with every AGM. A ballot will be sent to members in good standing with the official AGM Notice. The Members shall be asked the question “Do you vote in favor of a Leadership Election? Yes or No. Completed ballots may be brought to the AGM or may be returned to the Party under terms of legal service. (i.e. mail or express courier) and must be received by the Party prior to the AGM, or at the AGM if hand delivered, in order to be counted and checked. If 50% +1 of the ballots submitted vote Yes then a Leadership Convention shall be called. If a Leadership Convention is called the Leader shall step down.
9.04 In the event that the Leader in
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Ladies and Germs please welcome BC Conservative board member Ryan Warawa.
Either you are confused or are trying to do the confusing. You’re dissidents aren’t talking about an up or down on leadership. They’re passed that. They want an up or down on Cummins. In fact, they don’t want his sorry ass anywhere near the party anymore.
Besides, if you had peace in the valley, you could easily avert this vote mess.
Pls go play happy Idiot elsewhere Ryan. I was winning campaigns when you were still an itch in your father’s Standfields.
If you don’t get rid if Cummins, you will face certain peril.
BTW, since you’re here: Were you one of the geniuses that decided to blow four grand a mth that you don’t have???
And you think you can run the province?
Dunce.
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AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
LMFAO!!!
Priceless response, Alex – you’re in fighting form I see!
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Well, c’mon, it’s there in front of him for Christ’s sake. The system is designed to circumvent a vote if there is widespread support for a leader.
In this case, there’s widespread support to buy shares in Depends…
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No question – the system is designed to do exactly what you stated.
Ryan’s use of 9.03 in an attempt to defend “Geezer” John Cummins is amusing at best.
Mr. Warawa had better do much better than that, or John Cummins just might strangle Ryan with his colostomy bag.
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classic
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Perfect metaphor of what the party presently is! A geriatric boys club that clings to medieval social views.
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LOL !!!!!, and they actually think they are a “VIABLE” alternative???
LMFAO…… Move along God Squad,
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“I was winning campaigns when you were still an itch in your father’s Standfields.” Hilarious!
Have you ever thought about teaching? I’d love to sit in on one (or more) of your classes…which should be mandatory for these idiots!
Great to have you back in fighting form Alex!
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It’s crossed my mind.
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Or writing a book
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Indeed.
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Since Warawa didn’t include it and assuming this hasn’t been changed since 2009 the same as :
In the event that the Leader in the opinion of the Board is derelict in his or her duties, or brings the office of the Leader or the BC Conservative Party into scandal or disrepute as determined by a 2/3 majority vote by secret Ballot not including the Leader as a voting member in this determination, may call a Special General Meeting (SGM) for the purpose of conducting a Leadership review.
The Leadership review process shall be carried out by the same terms and conditions as the regular AGM Leadership review process except for the fact that it is occurring at a SGM called for the purpose of a Leadership Review by the Board
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Is anyone in the BC Cons executive/board not a member or affiliate of Northview or Willingdon church?
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hmmmm
van dongen… head of the BCCP?
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It would make the most sense.
He’s got a seat in the house and oodles of credibility.
Cummins has a warm blanket and an oatmeal cookie.
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it makes way too much sense……. perhaps thats why these idiots cant bring themselves to do the right thing.
A bible thumping “grandfather figure” aint gonna cut it in this day and age, case closed.
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Is it clear only to me?
Attention BC Libs and BC Cons: the first of you to dump your current leader and install someone with ability and integrity will lead the official opposition this time next year. The clock is ticking……………….
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The BC LIbERalS could install Christ himself as leader and it wouldn’t matter. They are, happily and deservedly, toastola.
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The question is if they decide to replace him, will the replacement get $4,000 a month is he an Christy Clark the members will have to decide but anyways I’m Voting BC Conservative, not giving my vote to Liberals or deadbeat NDP.
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The question is: “If they decide to replace him, does he get a severance payment?” Political purga-tory?
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Cummins completely lost any iota of respect the moment that bigot professed his views on homosexuality ….
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You have to give them some credit for smelling the coffee and trying to do something about it. Although, this has been done very awkwardly and foolishly. This will always be the case when the country bumpkins from the Reform days running the show.
“AGT, what is this Roberts rules you are talking about? We don’t use those fancy dancy city slicker ideas. We use good ole fashioned common sense.”
Seriously, while $4000 a month salary is not much to most people, it is huge when you are living hand to mouth. That is what the BC Conservatives are doing.
Regarding Jeff Bridge, you would think this news would make it to the “political insider”. Not a peep. Somebody might actually read his blog if he posted what happened. However there really isn’t any insider stuff there.
The BC Cons party does send fundraising letters to members of the Conservative Party of Canada who are not BC Conservative members. I wonder why the federal party has remained silent about this. I would think they would be more upset with them tapping their cash cows than the privacy issue. However, it it still a breach.
Alex, those people you mentioned as their “best advisors” leave me in awe. As Rafe Mair would say, “That’s like saying Dopey is the tallest of the Seven Dwarfs”. However, I would imagine they are the only ones who would work for free for this bunch. If Will Mcmartin is the best they can get, then God help them.
If this colon cleansing the BC Conservatives are about to do results in the obstructions being removed, then there might be a shot. This might attract some real talent who are completely disgusted with the BC Liberals. However, there is nothing there to attract them now.
BTW…did you notice the Conservative Wunderkind has jumped ship too. He was wundering what he was doing there and got out.
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Maybe the idea of having the god squad was so that people would vote liebral after all?
Did a deal already get made behind those famous doors. This sounds sneaky enough to come from crissy and crew.
Excellent again Alex and welcome to Ryan. Stay here and read some more truth to bring to the AGM.
Now i want my $10.00 back after I vote at the agm please.
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Hi Alex,
Two things I found funny today!
1) As Cummins points out in this story. They forgot to but the ballots for the leadership review in the mail!! As he calls it SMALL OVER SITE!!!! LOL.
http://www.theprovince.com/Conservatives+need+backroom+scrap/7098369/story.html
2) unrelated but still funny!! Every time the LIBs dump on the NDP about something (They will drive people out of the Province in droves) A story arrives to paint a picture!!!!
http://www.theprovince.com/business/Number+young+people+leaving+soars+likely+reasons+include/7096450/story.html
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I actually saw a shill claim somewhere that young people were leaving preemptively because the NDP might get back in next year…too funny!
There is nothing they won’t spin. Roght up there with 99 year lease.
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Regarding David’s 2nd. Link:
Young people fleeing B.C. in big numbers: Are bad economy and pricey housing to blame?
http://www.theprovince.com/business/Number+young+people+leaving+soars+likely+reasons+include/7096450/story.html
“…B.C. NDP leader Adrian Dix said interprovincial migration is “complicated” and B.C.’s negative trend covers a short period, so he doesn’t want to jump to conclusions…”
Adrian, quit playing nice guy – jump to conclusions, now – big ones! If you don’t, you can bet your ass that once you’re elected premier, the lazy MSM will relentlessly blame this exodos on you! Be a warrior, do a pre-emptive strike – WTF are you waiting for?
“…B.C. Finance Minister Kevin Falcon was not available for an interview for this story…”
How predictable; by the way Mr. Falcon, where is Christy – hiding under your skirt?
“…In a demographic report completed before late 2011 and early 2012 migration stats were available, Urban Futures said the first three-quarters of 2011 represented the longest consecutive outflow seen in B.C since 2003…”
Adrian, did you read that last sentence?
Here’s your big chance; don’t just sit there with your thumb up your ass!
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I’m telling you, Dix is absolutely beatable. He’s not performing well at all.
But it requires Cummins and Christy, gone.
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The problem with that scenario is all the stale bread that would be left in the cupboard!! The liberals are praying that if they keep CC around with her utter incompetence! They can dump her and hope all the uninformed voters think she was the only problem with their party!! She is gone, lets move on!!FAR FROM IT!!!!! Side note!! DID YOU HEAR FALCON’S excuse on the 200 over 200K club in ICBC!! LOL!! WTF!! We never thought there were so many managers getting paid so much money! I mean rates have stayed the same so there was no sign for us!! LOL COME ON YOU CAN’T BE SERIOUS!!
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The problem with Kevin, among others, is that he’s completely serious.
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Talk about opportunities missed!
To paraphrase B.C.’s pompous “The Best Place On Earth” – as it might apply to most B.C. politicians – “The Most Mediocre Disfunctional Useless Political Turd Show On Earth!”
How about if we dump all these political parties into 3 rings and collectively rename them – “The Ringling Brothers & The Barnam & Bailey Party!”
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I found the article interesting for two reasons.
It mentions the lack of job prospects and the UNAFFORDABILITY of housing. When young families are willing to take jobs in Ontario and Quebec because they cant get ahead financially something is seriously wrong.
Can you say real estate correction?
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I can assure you, everything I’ve been saying about a correction is on the way. And a major one.
Listening to a realtor tell you otherwise is a kin to listening to a prostitute tell you how beautiful your eyes are.
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About time you threw in a crissy quote. Have a good weekend Alex and family.
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Hmmm $4/mo?
Maybe that is why he didnt run in Chilliwack. Its a lot easier to collect the money only having to answer to the party rather than start making money as an MLA and offer some commitment.
Not to mention he can pull the pin on being the leader a lot easier with his choice of reasons.
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This is becoming an election made in heaven for lazy BC media. First, the main parties will spend the next 9 months outshouting each other on the jobs they reject; i.e. pipeline jobs. There will be no substantive debate on the jobs we desperately need and how we are going to attract them.
Now the BC Conservatives may be conducting a fossil purge. Bloated Bill ( I refer to his wattles and ego) was all over that in his morning show.
Meanwhile, youth unemployment is 14 per cent and youth underemployment (good degrees, crappy jobs) isn’t mentioned.
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Well, when jobs like front counter jockey at a car rental company require you to have a university degree for twelve bucks an hour…. no wonder the youth unemployment rate is high.
The university degree is the new high school diploma.
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You get it.
Most of these FBGs ( Fat Bald Guys) on this site are still fighting the BC political wars from the Socred-NDP days ( circa 1990). They were so busy cleaning their white belts and shoes from Nanaimo they never noticed that about 1million people moved here from the rest of Canada and China since the Zalm left
The FBGs don’t care a toss for your generation as long as they can get you to volunteer for phone bank duty in a campaign office.
We are consigning your generation to WalMart jobs while slinging our toothless political barbs across the Internet.
The ultimate, unconscionable boomer last pathetic dance on a tilting floor.
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Alex, do you think once Cummings is dumped, the party will cleanse themselves of Reed Elley, Randy White, and that Newfie premier ??
Is it Cummings that is placing these nightmares of elections past in these decision making positions??
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Cummins is the problem. Period.
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Grandpa Munster get $102k a year in the form of a federal pension and has the audacity to collect another $4k a month from the BC Cons? If I was in his shoes, I would have foregone collecting a salary until I was at least elected and let that $4k a month go back into the party coffers.
Worse of all, the desperate Fiberals can start branding him as a double dipping opportunist.
I weep for the political landscape in this Province. No hope, no promise, all despair.
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Christy says, “See? It’s a different kind of conversation with just men in the room….”
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I guess $4k a month is a lot to a hazbeen that has been relgated to running a blog site.
It sounds to me like the mutineers calling for a review are the jealous bozos who were running the BCCP for years as a moribund afterthought.
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“In anticipation of their dirty laundry being aired by me, the BC Conswervatives have sent preemptive messaging to certain members of the media this evening.”
Michael Smyth is apparently a “certain member”.
The [leadership review] ballots are supposed to be mailed out with an official notice of the party’s annual general meeting. This year’s AGM is scheduled for Sept. 22, and the official notices were mailed out a few weeks ago.
Just one problem: No leadership-review ballots were included.
“It wasn’t a case of anyone trying to get around the rules, because I’m not worried about a leadership review,” Cummins said. “It was simply an oversight on the part of our executive.”
An oversight or not, Cummins said many people in the party would now like to skip this whole silly “leadership review” thing until after the May 2013 election.
http://www.theprovince.com/Conservatives+need+backroom+scrap/7098369/story.html
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ROTFLMFAO!!! WHERE ARE RYAN WARAWA’S LIES NOW?
BULLSHITTER.
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The BC Conservative Party has been nothing since the tenure of leader Dr Scott Wallace in the 1970′s and, i fear, will continue to be nothing. Wallace was a principled man who offered reason in a legislative assembly in which “reason” was lost on the wild battles between the Socreds and New Democrats (it was great comedic entertainment, tho!)
Today’s Conservatives would seem to have one, and only one, chance, and that would be under the leadership of Van Dongen. However he would have a serious uphill battle to control some of the zealots in the party.
And I wonder if Van Dongen has the time to be leader. He is now committed to pursuing BC Rail to the end, I would think. How would he possibly give 100% to first organzing and then leading a team into an election (while at the same time handling all of the internal battles in the party) while at the same time going full steam on BC Rail?
For these reasons I don’t think the Conservatives have a snowball’s hope in the election.
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Van Dongen needs to leave the BCPC’s and run as an independent.
Really, under the current “leadership”, the cons have nothing to offer Van Dongen except guilt by association with Cummins & Co. – and
an anchor.
Mr. Van Dongen, why commit self-inflicted political suicide? That’s Christy Clark’s forte.
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If vanDongen leads the party, they’re guaranteed at least four seats.
Under Cummins, they’re dead.
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Glad I got all my kid’s grown and making a living before this next gong show episode starts up. I can picture both the NDP and Randy Whites christian party all patting each other on the back and taking credit for getting rid of the liebrals.
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With the BCC in apparent disarray there is window of opportunity for the BCLs to dump CC and maybe get some respect back.
Unfortunately they dont have the guts or brains to realize this. More than likely CC will think this is the opportunity she needs to get people back in her fold.
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Finally. Someone understands. Someone gets it.
But let me spell it out for the other kids in class. If the BC Cons lose Herman Munster and the BC Libs lose the Dummy, with the right leader, Dix could be held to a majority, but barely.
A much healthier outcome than a massive landslide. Remember: We all thought the current crew would save us. And they only made matters worse.
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We all thought the current crew would save us. And they only made matters worse.
Well that’s what happens when a crew arrives to rescue a group of people in the water and decides throw out the liferafts..
but into the water on the other side of the ship.
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For the God squad reading this post please consider this:
“If racing against mere men makes you tired, how will you race against horses? If you stumble and fall on open ground, what will you do in the thickets near the Jordan? Jeremiah 12:5
Open rebuke is better than secret love Proverbs 27:5
For the rest, Thomas Paine: “Lead, follow, or get out of the way”
The BC Conservatives must realize, as Paulson did with the RCMP, that they are an organization at risk. The emperor has no clothes; and the taxpayers have no money to foot the bill even if he did.
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Nice post Alex. I support the NDP but I read all of your posts because of the insite and background you give them. I also like reading the comments from your readers – except the far right-wing nut bars who are always trying to draw comparisons between the NDP and Communism. The odd thing is that these same people are all big fans of Harper and the federal CONS who are the one’s who are kissing Communist Chinese ass.
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great post alex,
this can go two ways , if the bc conservitave do nothing they will be as relevant as the christian heritage party.
or they can clean house and put in competent people in key positions. and actually become relevant.
the fall sitting of the house should be interesting if the conservatives become relevant i could see several members cross the floor and presto they have party status .
and then the bc liberals had better hope that they can win a confidence vote.
great job alex.
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There will be no Fall sitting.
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How can you confirm this?
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failing to have a fall sitting will do them more harm.
this will give dix even more of a bump in the polls.
the people of bc deserve governance by debate and consultation,
not by order in council and decree
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Complete agreement.
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Hmmm… something stinks!! By getting rid of ‘I won’t consider joining the Liberals’ Cumming, will the romance blossom?
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Not a chance. The relationship moves further away.
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Good information Alex. It does tend to support my opinion regarding the BC.Conservatives and their Federal counterparts. Unfit to run a peanut stand and a very dangerous propensity to mix religion with poltics.
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Randy White, Reed Elley and Brian Peckford were all known as “Tactical Advisors” to the current version of the BCCP, before we heard about Cummins’ role.
This was after the likes of Chris Delaney and others, were forced/pushed out of “their” Conservative party and this, of course, occurred shortly after the Vander Zalm/NDP anti-HST rallies were held around the Province in September, 2009.
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Well, for what it is worth, I have it from someone who knows Cummins and the various players here, that BC Liberal activists have people inside the BC Conservative Party “to cause trouble”.
He has been expecting this kind of stuff.
And no, I’m not going to name my source.
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Completely delusional.
Hamish Marshall, Andrea Smith, Warren Smith, Jonathan Snoek, John vanDongen, Rick Peterson, the best of party: Either dead silent or turned in Cummins.
That tells you everything you need to know.
You’re source is a complete fool.
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JVD must be having a bit of buyer’s remorse for having thrown his lot in this mess. He would have been better off as an independent–assuming the Cummins coup fails.
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IF they don’t get rid of Cummins, then vanDongen will, I predict, leave the party. This alone, will finish Cummins off. Rick PEterson will be gone too. He’d be crazy to stay.
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Hi Alex,
No disagreement that the Cons. have turned into a bunch of unrepentive troglydytes (bet you don’t get that one much). You hit the mark several months back pointing to the disturbing “decisions” of that party that seemed likely to discredit it.
It’s almost enough to drive many back to the LIberal Party (is that their strategy? — to let the Cons. discredit and destroy themselves??). Aaagh!! What a choice.
At the same time, as for dumping the leadership of Cummins — the party does have a constitution that must be followed. So do the Liberals. You want the Liberals to dump the Dummy by caucus revolt, or something I know not what (I would love to see it play out!! — but that would have to play out via a confidence vote in the legislature, and I think some Libs. don’t have a stomach for an early election). But that would be a violation of their constitution.
For better or worse, party constitutions need to be respected — respect for constitutions are what distinguish us from those countries that have no resect for the state of law.
What are you, then, suggesting in terms of dumping Cummins and giving British Columbians a free enterprise choice? That is a bit of a quandary.
Cheers!
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What on earth are you talking about?
There are many ways to skin a cat.
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Name one applicable to this case that would not contravene the party constitution.
Cheers!
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I am profoundly disinterested in going through the BC Conservative constitution and needing to spoon feed your fascination.
It’s simple: Enough like minded, senior-level Conservatives demand Cummins leave or they will and the party is over.
In politics, just like the mafia, this is the way the game is played.
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The Legislature does not factor in votes of non confidence except on money bils. The Caucus as a collective has the parliamentary power and the tools from Robert’s Rules of Order to table a motion on non confidence of the Leader and then once there is a seconder to motion, the motion goes to a vote. So the Liberal Caucus if they so choose that route can easily do that.
In regards to the BC Conservatives, my my my have they ever got themselves into a mess. The Provincial Board actually violated the Constitution by not ensuring those mail ballots were sent. How could they actually miss such an adminstrative screw up?
Since technically the Board violated the Constitution by not providing the ballots they erred big time.
But alas, the BC Liberals are no people halos in the choir either. They had and still do send notices of AGMs by postage stamp sized ads in the Announcement sections at the back of the local paper. This techncially fullfils the obligations, but it is a very sleazebag way to send a notice to members as many people end their reading of the local paper once they reach the sports section. I verbally skinned alive a BC Liberal organizer once I found out it was him who was behind those things in the area he was supposedly good at organizing.
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I heard on CKNW today that a board member tried to motion a non confidence vote on John Cummins and gay basher Reed Elley refused that motion saying its out of order. Was he worried that the leader wouldn’t get that support and was this motion legal. Congratulations to the men that stood up against the leader and are looking for the best interest of their members. You are right. They need to be commended for their efforts.
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hey alex, i have seen some people posting on comment sections that the liberals plan on passing legislation next spring to push the election back until next fall… have you heard anything about this or is it just a rumor?
it would not surprise me, but how stupid can one party get??? if they do this they might as well as dissolve the party the day before the election.
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If they do this, they’ll lose every seat except one or two. Insanity.
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Alex,
It’s up to you then!! Run her from office!!
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Spring would be too late.
If they are going to do this, they would have to introduce legislation this Fall.
I believe legally, they still have five years between election dates. The only change they would need to make is to Campbell’s ‘fixed’ election date legislation.
Scary to think they might actually do this. I am sad to admit this isn’t the first time I’ve heard this statement made over the past few months.
And a delay would give the Liberals much needed time to introduce electronic voting. God help us.
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You are absolutely spot on Alex, on your perception and observations on the character of the main players in the BC Conservative party.
I am an Abbotsford resident. Randy White was the Reform / Conservative MP in this, probably the most conservative riding in Canada.
I have been known to write politicians on issues that I’m concerned about and Randy White has been the recipient of at least 3 of my missives. But he is a complete fraud and coward. He has never responded to any of my emails, not even a form response. He is the ONLY politician who has not responded with at least a “thank you for your concern” type of response.
Randy White has been cited as being responsible for the defeat of the Conservative party in 2004 because of his pre-election comment “to heck with the courts” in regards to overturning same-sex marriage. (Wikipedia) So of course he shares the same religious view as ‘Pastor Reed Elley” on homosexuality (God save us all).
The problem as I see it, is that he really believes he is morally superior to the rest of us. Implicit in his statements about homosexuals( and drug addicts) is the judgmental view that both are choices, and as such they are choices made by people who have no morals or who are morally weak. And of course religion is the answer to both of these morally corrupt conditions.
He lacks compassion and insight. You are so correct that he is a liability to the BC Conservative party. What were they thinking when they called on him as campaign advisor?!
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Clearly, they weren’t thinking at all.
Thanks for your lucid and articulate comment.
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The question isn’t why are young people fleeing BC in droves. The question is why in the world wouldn’t they be.
Fortunately, they’re educated well enough to know that being around pleasant scenery far from guarantees a great lifestyle.
Nor does being governed by a bunch of squabbling immature adults going nowhere but in circles.
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With this post you certainly have the NDP /Neo-Communist choir singing in unison.
I really enjoyed the chorus of:
Lee says:
August 16, 2012 at 7:09 AM
He/She thinks that Clark can help the NDP more by being employed by JP, than, let’s say, being a NDP premier.
I also enjoyed the premise that the stupid money will invest in more profitable places in the world, leaving smart money to make marginal returns in BC. Just like last time … I know, but, but, things are different now.
We really gotta force someone to make furniture in BC.
Pass the bong. Nice hammock, comrade!!!
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http://www.theprovince.com/news/ICBC+boss+quits+same+withering+report+about+overpaid/7101086/story.html
“The review found wages for senior management at the Crown corporation have gone up 70 per cent since 2007, while revenues from its investments have declined. It also showed the corporation increased its management personnel by 32 per cent.”
good god. wages for management at icbc almost doubled in 5 years.
and the liberals claim to be sound fiscal managers right?
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I know. It’s stupefying that they have the gall to claim that they are good stewards of the economy.
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Alex,
After just f–ing up a job application of major import to me, this is good news for my neighbours. I will sleep well knowing the BC Conservatives just might realize they need a real, genuine leader.
Josef
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Conservative Leader in waiting:
MLA: Vicki Huntington
4805 Delta Street
Delta, BC
V4K 2T7
604 940-7924
Party Whip
MLA: Bob Simpson
401 – 410 Kinchant Street
Quesnel, BC
V2J 7J5
250 991-0296
Topping on the cake go steal the BC Liberals newest candidate
Hector Bremner
And run him in Burnaby/Lougheed it’s wide open.
The Libs are going to feed him into the Big Orange Meat grinder in New West what a waste of talent.
Alex do a piece with Vicky feel her out and let’s get her in the leaders chair.
I’m a Dipper but I want a real party to balance out the BC political scene.
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There is no sense in pretending that the BC Liberals or the BC Conservatives will ever truly advocate for the average Joe in this province. It is time to hand over the reigns of government to the NDP, n o matter their perceived deficiencies. I am totally ‘done’ with the so-called free enterprise parties. This crap-loaded political system needs a good shaking. My wife and I have finally become radicalized-something i didn’t see happening even a few months ago.
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You’re hardly alone.
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How about a piece on ICBC. The Lieberals robbed the kitty last year to the tune of 750 million and now they are raising the base rate 11%. These assholes have to go soon. Falcons excuse is paying the execs to much.
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It really is extraordinary.
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Another BC political implosion. Insanity, you bet. Makes for a great read, but it really underlies the fundamental problem in BC politics…lack of “qualified” candidates that can handle 21st century, governance.
As for those individuals, who still think the bad “commies” are still out there. Perhaps getting back in your “time machine”, and revisiting McCarthyism, would’nt be a bad idea. Might actually give you, a whole new meaning to the term, ” government run”. This province needs a change, desperately. The current regime, no longer has the moral authority nor the public trust, to continue to govern. Sadly, we get what we pay for.
One would hope that all of this political meandering, by the BC Conservatives, and the free fall of the BC Lib’s, is not lost on the NDP.
They do have an opportunity, to change the status quo, and perhaps alter some of the negative opinions of their party as a whole.
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Seriously Alex … after reading the MS article in The Province today, he is as delusional as JC … no wonder K. Krueger is going back to his old ICBC job – can’t believe that fact has been lost on MSM!!
Nice work – TC
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Subject: BC CONSERVATIVE PARTY
What a mess we have created, our vision for the New BC Conservative Party has ended up where it started. True to our reputation, we have become our own worst enemy and in- fighting and the political agenda of many of our members have sealed our fate in the upcoming election. The bottom line we will once again be stuck with the Liberal – NDP equation.
I like many others invested time, energy and a considerable amount of money in establishing the foundation for the establishment/growth of the BC Conservative Party in Parksville and Port Alberni riding associations. The infighting and political back stabbing was evident from the start and in the case of the Port Alberni riding the political and personal agenda of some have resulted in the majority of supporters moving on in frustration.
We worked hard, held garage sales/fund raisers, purchased banners and established an outstanding web site. All of this effort appears to have been lost, the board is now next to non-existent and community awareness is status quo. The owner of the “Highway Sign” which hosted our banners has seized them for lack of payment via an income tax receipt and (true or not true) has stated they have been destroyed.
John Cummins position regarding special veto status for First Nations bands has merit; however, it is difficult to keep such a view in perspective. From personal experience I can attest to the fact that many of the old guard openly articulate racist views and opinions of First Nations people. Regardless of there perception of First Nations people the bottom line is that you can’t expect to win a riding like Port Alberni with out some positive interaction with the bands in the area.
On another note, the membership voted to support John and endorsed his leadership. Democracy rules and the few that can’t live with this should move on and take there political poison with them. From my limited recent experience in politics, it’s my opinion that, many politicians appear to political prostitutes and opportunists. An observation that clearly can be applied to two who defected to the BC Conservative Party and left when they grass look greener with other political parties. Many potential candidates who were considering running under the BC Conservative banner are now holding off waiting to see if the BC Conservative Party is going to implode.
I don’t know if it’s possible to salvage what is left of the party but time is running out, we have to get off the self destruction main line if we don’t want to be destroyed and driven out of existence in the up coming election. I hope there is salvation in the harsh lessons we should have learn from recently.
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I think you should have stopped after admitting that you have political experience.
Cummins knew he was under the gun from July. He and his minions manipulated the leadership vote process to avoid the matter altogether. He thumbed his nose at reasonable and important issue raised by vanDongen and others. He lost his two main star candidates. His poll numbers continue to drop.
Your position makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
Thanks for stopping by.
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