Letter to the Editor: BC Conservative popularity aiding NDP victory

NOTE: Tyler Holte’s original Letter to the Editor, “BC NDP’s best friend,” was published on February 15th. The following letter from Holte is in response to People flock to fresh options offered by BC Conservatives by Alan Forseth, published on February 16th.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — I appreciate Mr. Forseth’s response letter, but I think it misses the main and important point: the effect and significance of vote splitting.

I truly empathize with those who believe in the BC Conservative platform. I entirely understand that as the BC United Party became more moderate and moved further to the left, it alienates people on the right. That is why the BC Conservative Party gained popularity.

The irony is that their own popularity gives the election away to the NDP; that is why I called it self-defeating.

Compare the two charts below from 338canada.com: one is popular vote projection, and one is seat projection. The moment that the Conservative Party gained popular support is precisely the moment that NDP’s projected seats similarly skyrocketed.

The main argument of my opinion piece was regarding electoral reform. It was about how a first-past-the-post system creates an unhealthy environment for a multitude of parties.

I did make many inflammatory remarks regarding John Rustad because, in my opinion, he must know that his actions are giving the next election away to the NDP. That makes him a hypocrite.

As Mr. Forseth points out, Mr. Rustad was ousted. It was after a long line of behaviour that violated the rules of membership that he agreed to within the party, and he refused to meet with Kevin Falcon to discuss. It appears Mr. Forseth would blame Mr. Falcon for the ousting. Would he also blame the bank foreclosing on a borrower who stopped paying their mortgage?

There are consequences for repeatedly breaking rules and thumbing your nose at the leader elected by your party.