What they believe, and stand for, are the things that will guide them in government

If you go to the BC Liberal Party you’ll find a section entitled “What We Believe” … the BC Conservative Party website also has a page that gives an overview on what the party stands for, it is entitled “What We Stand For”.

Some in the media and public believe that the BC Conservative Party has viewpoints that would be opposed by the majority of British Columbians, and has no clearly defined plans and ideas.  Given that, I thought that I would do a side by side comparison.

This was an interesting exercise to do, given talk that the BC Liberal Party is willing to take a look at a name change.  That possible name change however would still be over a party that has the same guiding principles and beliefs.

Granted these are not the ‘policies’ of the party; however what they believe and stand for, are the things that will guide them in government.

BC Conservatives:

A belief in the rights and responsibilities of all British Columbians and that Governments at all levels are responsible to serve and respect all individuals and their families, including freedom from unnecessary laws and regulations and excessive government

BC Liberals … not covered

BC Conservatives:

A belief that Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) are primarily responsible to represent the interests of their Constituents

BC Liberals … not covered

BC Conservatives:

Protection of the rights and freedoms of individual British Columbians

BC Liberals … not covered

BC Conservatives:

A belief in smaller government resulting in more liberty and personal property rights, the encouragement of new enterprise and individual achievement striving towards excellence and prosperity

BC Liberals … not covered

BC Conservatives:

A belief in the principle of equality of opportunity for all British Columbians, with special privileges for none. This principle includes the protection of private property, the freedom of the individual, and freedom of speech, worship and lawful assembly

BC Liberals … not covered

BC Conservatives

A belief in clearly defined public policies and programs that are affordable and effective and for which delivery is accountable to all the people of British Columbia

BC Liberals ... this was not really covered however they do say they believe in, ‘providing a solid foundation with fiscal prudence and a commitment to balanced budgets’

BC Conservatives:

A belief in managing the government to the highest standards of integrity and transparency and British Columbians are entitled to full knowledge of services rendered and their costs

BC Liberals … the closest thing I could find was the statement which says that, “BC must lead in the area of open government … we have the most comprehensive “open data” platform of any province in Canada”

BC Conservatives:
A belief in restructuring the taxation system to maximize benefits for the greatest number of BC citizens

BC Liberals ... not really covered whoever they do say they believe in, ‘providing a solid foundation with fiscal prudence and a commitment to balanced budgets’.  There is also the statement they believe in, ‘making life a little more affordable for everyday families’

BC Conservative Party:

A belief in a competitive free enterprise system as the basis for prosperity and growth

BC Liberals:

Government must promote private sector job creation and competitiveness. This means ensuring government enhances – not impairs – the ability of business, particularly small business, to create jobs … expanding trade for BC products, particularly to Asia

BC Conservatives:
A belief in the protection and management of our environment and natural resources to optimize benefits now and in the future

BC Liberals:

… protecting our environment and staying committed to clean air and clean water

BC Conservatives:
A belief in a rigorous system of law and order focusing on the rights of victims and the protection of the public

BC Liberals:

… keeping families and communities safe by fighting crime

BC Conservatives:
A belief in patient-centered health care

BC Liberals:
 … making sure our health care system is second to none and that health care is sustainable for future generations

BC Conservatives:

A belief in student-focused education

BC Liberals:

 … strengthening public education so students are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow

BC Conservatives:
A belief in Inter-Provincial “Free Trade” across Canada

BC Liberals:

… expanding trade for BC products, particularly to Asia

There are some additional points in the BC Liberal Party statement “What We Believe”; they are:

… keeping our commitments to senior citizens

… the Premier holds regular open town hall meetings across BC to hear from citizens

… we use new technology, such as social media,  to give British Columbians more ways to make their voices heard

If no one reads this, that will be fine by me.  In doing this however, I can clearly see why I have chosen to be a member and supporter of the BC Conservative Party.

Each one of us has that right; a right to support what we believe in … and that includes political parties.

On a closing point; the BC Liberal Party DOES NOT have a policy document posted on their website – BC Conservatives do. 

This document includes all of the regular areas you would expect to see policies on from Health Care and Education … to Job Creation and the Environment … Justice and Protection.  Everyone expects to see those things in a policy document. 

Where BC Conservatives differ however, in their policy document, is that it also includes a section on “Democratic Reform and Accountable Government”.  I can't find something similar on the BC Liberal Party website.

That's why a name change is not enough … the bottom line has to be what a party stand for and believes in.

I’m Alan Forseth in Kamloops … with the thoughts of one conservative.