Dear Editor:
I’m writing to offer a solution to certain letters you have received recently that speak of “vote conflict” and “strategic voting” in the next federal election.
To paraphrase, party leaders exert too much power over their elected members. For this reason, some voters hesitate to vote for their local Conservative candidate because that’s a vote for Mr. Harper. Similarly, a vote for a Liberal candidate is a vote for Mr. Trudeau, and a vote for an NDP candidate is a vote for Mr. Mulcair. Like many Canadians, some readers can’t fathom electing an MP candidate who will be handcuffed to one of these party leaders.
Fortunately, there is another party worth considering on the North Shore. A party whose leader empowers her colleagues to put constituents before party.
I’m referring, of course, to Elizabeth May and the Green Party.
Not only are the Greens running three strong candidates on the North Shore in the upcoming federal election — Ken Melamed, Claire Martin, and Lynne Quarmby — but they’re talking about important issues that matter to North Shore residents and putting forth practical and well-tested solutions.
The Green Party is also asking us to vote for a Canada that works together.
They’re saying that with more Green MPs, whose votes are not dictated by their federal leader, we can take back our democracy.
One letter published recently mentioned that the Greens probably can’t win here. The same was said for Elizabeth May and Andrew Weaver and they were elected. This letter implored us to be strategic voters. The truth is, this strategy ends up helping Harper’s chances as it divides the electorate and suppresses voter turnout.
Certainly, we should be strategic. I recommend the following strategy: (1) Decide which candidate will best represent you. (2) Help that candidate get elected by donating time or money to his or her campaign. (3) Keep weighing your options until election day. (4) Most importantly, feel good about who you vote for.
We should not be guided by fear when it comes to our electoral votes.
Richard Warrington
Horseshoe Bay
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