Eby Considering A Run For Leadership Of NDP
NDP Advanced Education critic, David Eby, chats with students at CNC 250News photo
Prince George, BC – The man who defeated Premier Christy Clark in the May election says he has been approached about running for leader of the BC New Democrats, now that Adrian Dix has announced his decision to step aside.
Speaking at the College of New Caledonia this afternoon, after spending the day talking with students, faculty and administrators at the college, David Eby says, "A lot of people have approached me and asked me to consider running and it’s certainly something that I’m thinking about very seriously."
Eby defeated the Premier in the riding of Vancouver-Point Grey by 1,063 votes in May, forcing Clark to run in a July by-election in the riding of Westside-Kelowna, which she then won handily. Eby’s victory was the one highlight in what was an otherwise shocking outcome for the NDP.
Eby says the election result was hugely disappointing and last week’s resignations of Dix and Party President, Moe Sihota, are signs the party is coming to terms with the loss. "It’s also a great opportunity for our party to renew itself."
But the new MLA says he won’t rush to throw his hat in the ring, "It’s not a decision that you make overnight and, so, I’m talking to the folks in my community and if I decide to do it, then I’ll make that decision when the time is right."
When local reporters tried to cajole Eby into making such an announcement in Prince George, he took a turn for the serious, saying, "Actually, I do think if our party has room for growth and opportunity, it’s in the north."
"I feel like every time I visit here – it doesn’t matter if it was when I was at Civil Liberties (the BC Civil Liberties Association, or now – that the north is like a kid that gets beaten up and their lunch money taken." He adds, "There aren’t enough people standing up for the north and I think our party could be that party."
Comments
“Like the North is like a kid that gets beaten up and their lunch money taken.” Are you serious? Have you looked around?
We have been the beneficiaries of a lot of government spending. We got roads, bridges, industry, mining, airport expansion money etc. Much money has been spent in the north. We are not hard done by at all.
What is it that you are going to do different to generate so much support?
Money comes from the rural areas to fund the government, but what goes back to support rural schools, ambulance service, and courts? What about divided highways on busy highways like the road to Vanderhoof… look at the hart highway with no shoulders and no lighting… how come the government dumps all the social service users in this city with no proper support for them? PG has lots of issues where it gets the short straw.
As for Eby I think he would make a fantastic premier. The guy likes to get out and talk to people and hear their concerns even before he got into politics, and he has a good head for thinking things through. I like that he would be strong on civil liberties as well as strong on social policy. The economy would appear to be his weak spot, but that didn’t work for Christy, so who knows once he is focused in an election.
That said I think if Nathen Cullen ran then that would be the best choice for BC, and David Eby would be a second best choice. I think those two would chop down the BC liberals like Phill Cassel with a tomahawk.
Is Eby the right gender in this run for the leadership at this time? Do you suppose if Moe came out of the woodwork and publicly endorsed Dixie, Dixie might have lost by a larger margin? Some unbrainwashed people don’t forget. But how many?
two words that would make me move to Alberta, “Premier Eby”
Why is it a concern that the economy would be Eby’s weak spot ? Just another typical NDP candidate ! I too hope he runs for NDP leadership as it would surely ensure further Liberal government !
theviewuphere : LMAO !
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