John Horgan is leaning heavily on a group of young guns to build momentum and position his party to ride away with an election win in 2017.
Horgan, leader of the B.C. New Democratic Party and MLA for the Juan de Fuca riding anchored by his home city of Langford, has given extra responsibility to an energetic group of six or seven B次元官网网址測oungsters,B次元官网网址� by political standard at least, many of them under 40 years of age.
B次元官网网址淚t goes against the grain historically,B次元官网网址� Horgan said during a lengthy interview in his constituency office in Langford. B次元官网网址淏ut I said when I ran for the leadership that it was time for the younger generation in our party to step up and be given more responsibility, and thatB次元官网网址檚 what weB次元官网网址檝e done.B次元官网网址�
He cites NDP Deputy House Leader Michelle Mungall, 37, as a great example of the partyB次元官网网址檚 new direction and focus. He lauded her efforts as opposition critic for Social Development, where she was able to get the government to do an about-face on clawing back support payments from single parents.
B次元官网网址淪he brought in people to tell their stories and the government changed its policy. ThatB次元官网网址檚 the oppositionB次元官网网址檚 role, and even our critics would say weB次元官网网址檝e done a good job of it.B次元官网网址�
Horgan also had plenty of praise for Melanie Mark, a B次元官网网址渄ynamoB次元官网网址� who is earmarked to replace longtime MLA Jennie Kwan in what Horgan considers the safest NDP riding in B.C.
B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 energetic, intelligent and has a very diverse upbringing,B次元官网网址� Horgan said. B次元官网网址淚f she gets elected she would be the first First Nations woman elected to the legislature.B次元官网网址�
Horgan believes his extensive sports background has played a key role in re-energizing the B次元官网网址渄isheartenedB次元官网网址� party. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been the best player on a team, cut from a team and everything in between.B次元官网网址�
He likes the look of this NDP team, and keeping the experience of the older faction has created a balance the public appreciates, he said.
Horgan, who has represented the Juan de Fuca riding for 10 years, admitted he was initially reluctant to run for the leadership following the partyB次元官网网址檚 stunning, crushing defeat in the 2013 provincial election. Despite the NDP enjoying a sizeable lead in the polls late in the campaign, the Liberals under Christy Clark came from behind to win by a comfortable margin.
The NDP believed victory was imminent and made the mistake of trying to be all things to all people, Horgan said. That, coupled with what he called a B次元官网网址減oorly runB次元官网网址� campaign, were the main factors in the defeat.
B次元官网网址淚t was a textbook example of the old adage that campaigns matter. The Liberals were doing anything to keep power. They played the LNG card, promised a $100 billion property fund, no debt, 100,000 jobs B次元官网网址� and Clark is an excellent campaigner.B次元官网网址�
Horgan took the opportunity to point out, however, that the provincial debt has actually gone up in the past three years under Clark, more than any other time in the provinceB次元官网网址檚 history.
With the next provincial election still 22 months away, Horgan said he feels optimistic but admitted it will be a tough battle against Clark, if she decides to run again.
B次元官网网址淭he key is to continue building strong relationships and being available to listen to people, whatever their political stripes,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hat goes a lot further that some catch phrase on the side of a bus.B次元官网网址�
Part 2 of this interview, on the Juan de Fuca riding, follows in FridayB次元官网网址檚 Gazette.
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