Wednesday September 13, 2023 | VICTORIA, BC
Political analysis by Mary P Brooke, Editor | Island Social Trends
One party loses an MLA and another one gains that representation , as Bruce Banman, MLA shifts from representing his constituency as a BC United MLA to now being a BC Conservative MLA.
That’s a significant shift in BC politics for a couple of important reasons:
- The BC Conservative Party of BC with now two MLAs achieves official party status (which comes with more money and resources)
- The BC United (only recently shifting brands from being the BC Liberals) is experiencing attrition, having seen John Rustad leave BCU to become the BC Conservatives leader earlier this year.
Executive Director for the Conservative Party of BC, Angelo Isidorou, states the obvious: “The Conservative Party of British Columbia has made history today!” as part of his welcoming statement to welcoming Dr. Bruce Banman into the BC Conservative caucus. He calls Banman “a strong and principled advocate for his constituents”, Bruce will sit as our second MLA in the legislature.”
Mish-mash of provincial and federal:
“Conservatives have common sense,” said Banman in his announcement today. But then jumped right into federal level politics with an attack against Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The commentary crossing over from provincial to federal doesn’t entirely make sense on day one of his new political track. But he ties the loose ends with a particular way of attacking the current BC NDP government:
“Conservatives have common sense. We don’t support Trudeau-backed policies like the punishing carbon tax that hurts everyday people; we refuse to condone the ideological NDP education agenda that teaches students what to think instead of how to think; and, we will never support the myth of safe supply that kills British Columbians and poisons our communities with hard drugs.”
Veiled personal attack:
His thinly veiled personal attack against NDP Premier David Eby is a low blow, and for some voters will kill off any consideration of the BC Conservatives in their voting options:
“I believe BC needs a leader who is a straight up, decent human being — and a party that’s willing to put politics aside to stand for what’s right.”
Still representing constituents:
Banman was elected MLA for Abbotsford South in 2020. He had, up until today, been the BC United Shadow Minister for Emergency Management, Climate Readiness and Citizens’ Services.
As to representing the people who voted for him in Abbotsford South, Banman defends his shift:
“When I was elected MLA for Abbotsford South, I promised to bring the concerns of everyday hardworking people and families to the forefront in British Columbia’s Legislature in Victoria.”
“Today, after careful consideration, I have made the decision to join the Conservative Party of British Columbia to keep that promise to my community and my constituents.”
As of today, Banman’s participation in BC Legislative committees is still listed by the Legislative Assembly of BC as:
- Select Standing Committee on Education
- Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services
- Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts
Not seeing climate change?:
Banman seems to be following in the footsteps of his party leader; John Rustad was elected in Nechako Lakes to represent the BC Liberals (before they became BC United) and shifted to leading the BC Conservatives as announced March 31, 2023. Rustad parted ways with BC United over his belief that climate change is not real.
The climate change point is a distinct marker between the BC Conservatives and all other major political parties in today’s landscape whether provincial or federal.
For most of the world, the more frequent extreme weather events of recent years are seen to be accelerating in frequency and intensity due to human impacts on the climate of this planet.