It appears the recall process for Cariboo Chilcotin and our MLA Donna Barnett is over, at least for now.
The proponent indicated a number of excuses on the website and suggested such things as apathy, and many people were moving to another party. In reality I believe what happened is that many of the people who signed the petition against the HST were against the way the tax was initiated, as was I, but common sense prevailed and they understand that this is not the way to fight an election.
They knew that in September or earlier, with the leadership review, they would have a chance to cast their vote for or against the tax. When all the information is out there, I also think common sense will prevail and think it may remain the same. To suggest the signers of the petition are now apathetic will not help your cause if you decide to pursue it at a later date. If, as you say, many have left the party and have joined another party is true, it does not make much sense.
If the truth had been told all along and this was a grassroots movement, not an NDP movement trying to overturn the last election, you could carry on regardless of what party they belong to. Since the main man has decided to re-seek the nomination for the NDP party and stated he was no longer involved may have had something to do with it as well.
More than likely the fact is that it was an election-driven movement, not a grassroots movement, and therefore when many who were opposed to the tax realized what it was, they were not about to participate.
So, for now, our MLA can get on with doing the job we elected her for.
Walt Cobb is a freelance columnist for the Tribune. He is a former Liberal MLA, former Williams Lake mayor, and current president of the Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce.
