Before John Twigg could even vote he was door knocking with Pierre Trudeau, kicking of a 50 year career revolving around politics.
“I know how the system works,” he said. “When and if I become the MLA there will be no learning curve.”
Twigg was originally aligned himself with the Conservatives. It wasn’t that long ago that he was volunteering for the party as a communications person and a director of policy, but when there was trouble finding a party leader and he realized he wouldn’t be able to push the policies he wanted, Twigg started looking for alternatives.
Twigg will be running with the BC First Party. He will be the party leader and the only candidate under the banner.
“BC First is not just a shelf party for me,” he said. “It was founded by a close friend and I have been a supporter of BC First since the outset. It is a godsend that it’s here waiting for me when I needed it.”
Twigg is a retired journalist, though he still writes a blog and hosts a weekly show on Spirit FM. Until recently he also had a TV show on Shaw called Talk About.
Twigg studied political science at UBC while running the school newspaper. After graduation he worked as a press secretary for Dave Barret. For awhile he lived in Saskatchewan and wrote about business and finances before returning to B.C. and attending the legislature as an independent member of the press gallery.
Twigg moved to Campbell River in 2001 but spent summers here growing up.
What are some major concerns you have about the province right now?
The incumbent government is inept and corrupt. Despite Christy Clark’s claims, the economy is badly under performing.
We could have full employment here if we had the political will, it’s doable.
The opposition party is not doing its job.We need a stronger opposition, we need an honest, an effective government. We need a lot more economic activity.
The Clark government has pillaged BC Hydro and pillaged ICBC and that needs to be fixed as well. Those are two very critical crown corporations. What’s wrong with B.C.? The gross mismanagement of BC Hydro and ICBC.
The big money thing in BC politics has gone way overboard, way too far, we need to fix it. The influence peddlers need to be kicked out and I know who they are.
How do you respond to critics and people who don’t agree with you?
I don’t have many critics. For people who disagree with my ideas I fully respect the right of people to have different opinions. I’m a democrat, I’m a libertarian, I welcome debates about policy and at 68 I’ve got a thick skin.
Why should people vote BC First?
I would be the best person to represent them in Victoria, regardless of who the government is.
I might even be part of a balance of power situation because it is going to be close.
And because I’ve got all these ideas to make the province better.
I can represent the riding’s interests and I can improve life in the province.
I know all the players, everybody on council knows me. The local business community all know me.
I’ve got some work to do in the northern communities. I’m not well known in Port Hardy and Port McNeill, Sayward, Tahsis and Gold River, I realize that, but I kind of know their industries and all their First Nations.
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