Editor:
Your online article of Oct. 26, “Simons projected to win,” states: “Simons said he doesn’t think the apparent growth of Green support came at the NDP’s expense and wasn’t necessarily a message for the NDP.”
Did the 10 per cent increase in Green support in our riding since 2017 come only from disaffected Liberal voters? Or did some Liberal voters support the NDP this year, while Green support came from disaffected NDP voters? We can’t know.
How much of an advantage did this snap election give to incumbent NDP MLAs like Simons, and how much did it work to the disadvantage of opposition candidates – especially new candidates like Sandra Stoddart-Hansen?
Again, we can’t know.
But when over a third of the voters in your riding vote for the only party whose platform includes phasing out LNG and fracking, ending logging of all old growth, and cancelling the Site C dam, that might reasonably be considered a message to the government.
It’s 2020. Significant numbers of British Columbians are concerned about climate change and our deteriorating ecosystems. A recent article in The Narwhal reviews the NDP’s record on its environmental promises, which could definitely be improved. Don’t be so quick to conclude that voters don’t have a message for you, Mr. Simons.
Alison Taylor, Halfmoon Bay
