BC Liberals hit the skids: Poll (May 19/04)

[maplesyrup]

B.C. Liberals hit the skids: poll

Greens 11%, down

LIbs 37%, down

NDP 44%, up

Just wait until you see the impact on the federal election results.

[Black Dog]

Er..as nice it would be to see success at the provincial level translate into support for the federal NDP, the fact is, it doesn't happen that way. BC is a Con stronghold and will probably stay that way. Unfortunately.

[maplesyrup]

I guess you have not seen the polls - the Cons are at the bottom of the heap.

[Black Dog]

Federally or provincially?

[maplesyrup]

The Conservatives federally have crashed and are at the bottom of the heap with only 23% in the latest BC polling. That is my one concern in this federeal election, that the Cons are so weak the Liberals will get a majority again. I think the NDP needs the Cons to show some strength if the NDP is to do well (3 way races).

[Kiraly]

I guess you have not seen the polls - the Cons are at the bottom of the heap.

That is not entirely accurate.

The polling results have been quite volatile in B.C.

Latest Ipsos Reid Poll has the Conservatives in last place, but the same pollster had them in first place just seven days earlier.

I know you wouldn't suggest that a monumental shift occurred during this one week period.

I'd put my money on the sample size being more of a factor.

Not worried about Converative fortunes in the next election in B.C.

But I can't say that I'm thrilled with the provincial numbers.

[maplesyrup]

When was it Joe Clark started speaking out?

[Slavik44]

When was it Joe Clark started speaking out? 

uhmm...sometime in the 80's I belive?

[Kiraly]

When was it Joe Clark started speaking out?

Ever since the creation of the Reform Party of Canada.

It is extremely unlikely that the change in polling numbers can be attributed to Clark's comments during CTV's Question Period.

I think the region where Clark's words are given the least attention is British Columbia.

Personally, I think Clark should stop masquerading as a conservative. His home his with you and your party. It isn't lost on me how most socialists admire and praise the man...

...of course they should - he's one of them.

[twister]

New poll done by Ipsos-Reid shows the Conservatives gaining eight points in B.C. to sit at 31% while the Liberals are down four points to 33% and the NDP at 27% (they sit unchanged). Looks like the Liberals are losing support to the Conservatives while the NDP aren't moving in either direction. The new poll also suggests that Ontario could become an interesting battle ground.

Here's a link to the news story:

CTV News: Martin heads for election with sagging momentum

[maplesyrup]

In the Province today an article by Michael Smith commmenting on building the three ferries outside of Canada.

Liberal MLA Dan Jarvis called the decision to build up to 3 ferries in Europe "BLATANTLY STIPID".

What a bunch of morons these BC Liberals are, all for the sake of idealogy:

$500 million sent outside the province

2,000 jobs lost

$75 million in lost tax revenue

25% import duty for building the ships off shore

loss of all the economic spinoff benefits

Kudos to lonely Liberal MLA Jarvis.

[maplesyrup]

Listened to a radio call in talk show (99% right wing callers) during the election one night and a substantial number of voters suggested they were going to be voting Green. I wonder if the BC Liberals are concerned about the Greens making inroads into their strength and what they plan to do about it. Or do the BC Liberals think the Greeens will draw more from progessive parties lke New Democrats?

My hunch is that we are going to once again see the same crap that Ipsos-Reid are now notorious for, combined with the capitalist press pumping and pushing the Green vote, onlty to see if fall flat on its face come voting day.

I wonder which riding the Greens believe they have a chance in this next goaround.

[maplesyrup]

How Did Premier Lose Public on Strike?

At least two more big battles are brewing on the labour front - and both must be fought before the fixed date of the next election in May 2005. One group involved is the teachers, the other the nurses.

Last time around the nurses became known for throwing shoes during a demonstration in front of the legislature.

The teachers have never managed to achieve a negotiated settlement since the current bargaining structure was first set up in 1996.

None of this bodes well for labour relations involving the Campbell government during the next several months.

Not a verry good sign going into the pre-election period. Has any premier ever been more unpopular that the current BC premier? I wonder. :angry:

[willy]

Has any premier ever been more unpopular that the current BC premier? I wonder.

Yes, His name was Glen Clark.

Campbell still has 38% approval rating.

Clark was in the low teens at this point in his government.

[maplesyrup]

The latest polls show only 28% of women in BC support the Campbell Liberals - shades of the Harper Conservatives!

[willy]

What poll?

Who did it? What was the sample? How many women were in that sample?

The BCLiberals have some very qualified women doing a great job in this government.

Getting closer to election time a comparison directly against the NDP policies will be made and the numbers will jump for the BCLiberals.

There biggest challenge will be the smear campaign launched by the BCTF, BCGE, and the HEU. These government unions have saved millions to run an active campaign against the Liberals.

Carol is the puppet they would prefer in government. This is the worst type of self interest.

The public reaction showing up in polls is just the feathers of change being ruffled. This same public will not change back this soon to the NDP.

Carol James is not a primer in waiting.

[caesar]

Oh, you are very wrong Willy. Every union person, any senior, and parents with children with disabilities will be voting OUT Campbell. He has taken a wrecking ball to this province and its resources. Health Care has deteriorated and our debt has climbed despite all the sell offs. Anyone who votes for this turkey other than overpaid rich businessmen is crazy.

[willy]

Anyone who votes for this turkey other than overpaid rich businessmen is crazy.

I am one crazy right businessman who will vote for him.

I am not alone. Right now 38% of this province must fit this mold.

The forestry, mining, paper, oil, heavy industry of all kind union members will be happy to vote Liberal. This way they will still have jobs.

Seniors by the way tend to be a little more conservative based on broad demographics. The exception being the raging grannies.

My prediction is that the Green Party will pick up 15% of the vote.

This will make it very interesting. You have your prediction, and I have mine.

No need for name calling.

[willy]

Study by the Vancouver Board of Trade

Private-sector confidence in B.C. declined substantially during the 1990s. In early 2001, a Vancouver Board of Trade survey of the province’s businesses revealed that business confidence in the economy was dangerously low. With the change in provincial government, this confidence improved substantially. However, more needs to be done and a consistent friendly climate needs to be fostered to help ensure that the private sector is encouraged to grow.

The provincial government has succeeded in balancing the budget and halting the upward trend of debt. This is a great accomplishment that will serve the province well. B.C. has avoided the difficult experience of other provinces and the federal government when debt and debt service costs became too large in relation to revenue.

As of early 2004, the provincial debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio was nearly 22 per cent, which compares favourably with other provinces.

The current B.C. government took strong actions to achieve this correction. Great progress has been made in containing program and capital spending. The government is to be commended for staying the course of fiscal restraint to arrive at the balanced budget that was legislated for fiscal 2004/2005. At the same time, the government, through tax cuts and other measures, has created a more positive investment and economic climate that is helping to stimulate employment and economic growth. The exceptional employment growth in B.C. since 2001 is testimony to the effectiveness of this.

B.C.’s corporation capital tax is seen by many business people to be a significant deterrent to investment in the province.

The corporation capital tax was introduced in the 1993 B.C. budget (with Glen Clark as minister of finance). Former premier Mike Harcourt presented the tax as a temporary measure to solve the deficit problem, with the assurance that the tax would be eliminated when the budget was balanced.

From the outset, business groups have been consistent in opposing this tax because it adds to the cost of doing business, regardless of profitability; it symbolizes an anti-investment bias by government; and it flies in the face of the principle of taxation based on consumption and income rather than on production inputs.

The provincial government has had the foresight to plan the addition of 25,000 new post-secondary spaces by 2010. This strong step will help to alleviate the shortage of capacity in the post-secondary education system in the province.

http://www.boardoftrade.com/vbot_page.asp?pageid=748

[caesar]

There is more to life than business with cheap labour. We the middle income earners deserve a decent life.

Since the NDP under Carole has stated that they plan to move more to the center; I will be happy to vote NDP.

I feel confident she will not embarrass us by getting locked up driving drunk in a foreign country. What a bozo. We need to keep decent paying jobs in BC. We MUST keep all government and medical records in BC. As we can see from the problems in Ontario; selling any part of our transportation system to foreigners is a DUMB idea.

Gordon Wilson revived the Liberal party and Campbell back stabbed his way into power. I will be very glad to see the last of that loser. Let's hope BC still has control of some of our resources when he is gone.

I am looking forward to a female Premier. Maybe, some honesty will surface at last.