This may come as a bit of a surprise, considering my last post. What I did not say outright in my last post was that I really was very impressed with Ms. May, her candidate in Nanaimo-Alberni John Fryer, and her partys’ platform.
So why am I voting NDP?
Well, it is Ms. May herself who encouraged me to do so… and again, she impresses me with her honesty and realistic and effective approach to politics. She is, clearly, not your average politician. Here is a letter I just wrote to the Editor of the AV Times.
At the all candidates meeting this past Thursday night in Port Alberni I asked a question to John Fryer on how the Green Party would convince enough people to switch to the Greens and beat John Lunney. His answer was their excellent, progressive platform, unfortunately, this did not resolve the anxiety I had that following my true desire would produce an acceptable result.
I have been conflicted as I agree with so many of the Greens stated goals and policies. Not just on the Environment, but also on support for education, fiscal responsibility, and foreign policy.
Thankfully, my conflict has been resolved… not by John Fryer, but by his party leader, Elizabeth May. In an interview with the Toronto Star on Friday she said… “I’d rather have no Green seats and Stephen Harper lose, than a full caucus that stares across the floor at Stephen Harper as prime minister, because his policies are too dangerous”.
So there you have it. Even though my Green Party sign will continue to be displayed on my front lawn, it will be Zeni Maartman and the NDP that get my vote in this riding and I hope all other progressive voters, Liberal, Green and of course NDP, do the same.
So, like Danny Williams on the other side of Canada… I am voting Anything But Conservative, which in my riding means the Zeni Maartman and the NDP.