Editor:
I see there is much being made in the media lately about MLA Bob Simpson’s new found notoriety on becoming an Independent in the BC legislature.
As much as I truly respect a lot of what Bob has done in the past, I can’t understand his naivety when it comes to his portrayal of consensus government.
Consensus government is a form of government where parties don’t exist and each elected represented is supposedly an Independent.
He strives to portray this form of government as the be all to end all, as if this is something fresh and new, a different way of doing government. In fact, there is nothing new or fresh about consensus government.
Bob uses the NWT as an example of successful consensus government, but to use that example one could just as well be talking about Williams Lake city council. Both serve a population of under 50,000 people, both extremely small compared to the population of British Columbia.
Thinking that 85 independent MLAs serving 4.5 million people could function with any sort of modicum is simply a pipe dream. Bob must realize the folly of what he’s talking about. Within days, those 85 MLAs would be forced to form alliances and eventually parties.
Bob may not be a fan of party politics but Bob also has a responsibility to his constituents.
Eventually he will either have to support one party or another, or he will become nothing more than a voice in the wilderness.
That being the case, I have to wonder whether Bob is truly serving his constituents or himself.
Dave Ligertwood
Williams Lake