Editor:
Re: Voters in Delta South fail to figure out it's unwise to elect a voice in the wilderness, letter to the editor, May 17
I was a little surprised by the comments of D.
Robertson for a few reasons. Is an independent MLA ineffective in B.C.? What are the alternatives?
A) A Liberal MLA. Yet another backbencher toeing the party line, fearful of expressing a real opinion and losing any hope of moving up in the party ranks. B) An NDP MLA.
Yet another useless voice of the opposition that is against any idea, good or bad, the government puts forward.
An independent MLA does not speak for either party and therefore is free to express the concerns and raise issues that are important to the constituents of Delta South.
Furthermore, I feel proud to be part of a community that is bold enough to go against the norm and elect an independent MLA. It says we are not afraid to do things differently, and we have the confidence to elect a candidate willing to go it alone in a provincial election, symbolizing the independent free spirit of her riding.
At the end of day, an MLA has only one vote in the legislature, and in a majority government we know how that goes. But having a voice uninhibited without party scrutiny is a totally different thing. The ability of our MLA to speak freely and loudly about local issues is a luxury few ridings have.
How effective an independent MLA can be is up for debate, but it sends a clear message to Victoria: If you really want our vote, you better listen to us.
Bruce Larkin
