Promises, Promises

With only a few hours left until BC Liberals from across the province vote for their new leader, one can assume that all of the candidates have said all they are going to say. So, without further ado, here are the profiles on each candidate and how they intend to make British Columbia suffer for the next two years with conservatism should they become the next Premier.

George Abbott is the most left-wing of all candidates. Most of his policies present small concessions to basic NDP demands for over a decade. These include raising the minimum wage, moving up the HST referendum date, restoring arts and culture funding, and combating child poverty. These are things progressive individuals can all agree on, and yet most other candidates have failed to state they would enact these principles. Mr. Abbott is the most distant (policy wise) from Gordon Campbell, although some of the policies he is proposing, when put forward as a Minister, he voted against. Opportunism perhaps? For New Democrats, he is our best hope for some positive change before the next election under the guise of the BC Liberals.

Christy Clark is the charismatic candidate in the race. Many said she was all image, and no substance, and boy were they right. The two most significant pledges she has made since December have been online voting and creating Family Day. Besides this, she has the classic platform about putting families first while also supporting the economy. While she wasn't there for the HST vote, she was in government for the first term of Mr. Campbell's government. Finally, her most prominent supporter isn't even an MLA, it's former broadcaster Pamela Martin, which doesn't say much at all. Still, she is the front runner, and very well could be the next Premier of British Columbia.

Kevin Falcon is terribly business-savvy. If you were part of the staggering 9% that still supported Mr. Campbell back in November 2010, then this is your guy. Giving teachers pay based on merit, moving the HST referendum up, placing economic development priority in the interior and keeping secrecy in Victoria are all key points. He also claims to make some changes to our health care system, consider lowering the HST to 10% and invest in future generations. With remarks like that, you would think he would actually care for the well being of British Columbian families. He, along with Mr. Abbott has taken a vast majority of the MLAs endorsements including Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance Colin Hansen.

If anyone is going to be spoiler in this contest, it's going to be Mike de Jong. Mr. de Jong has been awfully silent during the campaign. However, pledges to lower the voting age, increase the minimum wage and create a smaller cabinet aren't bad policy. However, has no support from cabinet or caucus either. While it's expected he will come in fourth, the second preference of his voting bloc will most likely give a candidate the votes they need to become the first minister of the province.

While I'm no political scientist, my guess is for Christy Clark to become the next Premier. I say this simply because British Columbia has a proud history of falling in love with politicians with plenty of charisma, and policy second. Besides, while her lead is shrinking, she still is at the head of the pack after a nearly three month campaign. If not her, I would expect Mr. Abbott. We'll have to wait until tomorrow to see who is setting the agenda for this great province next. I for one am not excited at all.