I am puzzled why media pundits often add the votes of 2005 NDP candidate Mel Lehan with those of the Green Party's Damian Kettlewell ["NDP's Mel Lehan takes on Gordon Campbell in Vancouver-Point Grey", January 8-15], and state that the combined total would have defeated Gordon Campbell. This incorrectly assumes that all Green Party voters are left-of-centre.
Green Party deputy leader Damian Kettlewell holds an MBA, owns and operates a small business, and has worked in the corporate management sector for ten years. In light of his university degrees and business acumen, many small business owners and corporate employees in Vancouver-Point Grey were attracted to Kettlewell in 2005 as an viable alternative to Gordon Campbell.
The reality is that the Green Party of B.C. draws voters from across the political spectrum. We attract progressive voters who understand that the environment is an important pillar of governance for our province, alongside with the economy and social justice.
Given the bipolar nature of British Columbian politics, the Green Party appeals to voters who don't want to have to hold their nose and vote for the "least worst" of two highly ideological parties.
During this time of global economic uncertainty, the Green Party is advocating greater support for small businesses, and for the reinvigoration of our province's economy with a green stimulus package. We believe in significantly reducing the cost of B.C.'s greatest expenditure, health care, by investing in more pro-active (rather than re-active) and community-based health care. Additionally, we strongly feel that the thousands of homeless people across British Columbia deserve a roof over their heads - both for moral and economic reasons.
Unfortunately for Mr. Lehan, the intelligent voters of Vancouver-Point Grey will not support the reactionary "axe the tax" campaign of the NDP. And unfortunately for Mr. Campbell, voters in Vancouver-Point Grey understand the hypocrisy of a government that promotes a carbon tax while also pushing through the single-occupancy vehicle-focused Gateway campaign (which completely ignores Metro Vancouver's Livable Region Strategic Plan). The people of Vancouver-Point Grey appreciate that the Green Party of B.C. introduced the concept of a carbon tax way back in 1996, and that we have a much more comprehensive and balanced plan for the governance of British Columbia than either the Liberals or the NDP.
Devon Rowcliffe
Communications Director for Damian Kettlewell, Deputy Leader of the Green Party of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC
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