I'm taking a short break... a very short break... from the long-running, hit reality blog series called #LiquorLeaks and the new spinoff called #LotteryLeaks (I hear Deputy Premier Rich Coleman is a big fan -- not!) to bring you #JesusLeaks.
Yes, the B.C. Conservative Party is imploding under the leadership of John Cummins. The party failed to win either seat in last April's Chilliwack and Port Moody by-elections. It has been downhill ever since. Next May, will the Conservatives be a viable option to form the next Official Opposition (or be kingmakers in a minority scenario)? Or will the party simply be a vessel for a protest vote against the crumbling BC Liberals and little else?
Members are complaining that Cummins didn't do enough on the summertime barbeque season and isn't doing enough to support John van Dongen's noble (and costly) legal quest to unearth the truth about the BC Rail scandal and, especially, the $6 million deal that appeared to have induced surprise guilty please from Dave Basi and Bob Virk on Oct. 18, 2010.
Cummins is facing a leadership challenge. Some B.C. Tories want Cummins to be "goins" before October.
The last straw for his opponents may have been Cummins' infamous quote in the Vancouver Sun comparing his plight to that of Jesus Christ.
“I hate to use a biblical reference but Christ had 12 apostles and one turned him in,” Cummins said. “We share the same initials but I can’t rise from the dead and I can’t get unanimity on the board. I wouldn’t expect to be able to. He couldn’t. I can’t.”While we wait for the ex-fisherman to drop a line about multiplying loaves and fishes or ponder his political resurrection, enjoy the latest Conservative internal communication provided to me by a source on Sept. 5:
Hello, BC Conservative Presidents:
The feedback I’ve been getting from my address to the membership, this past week, has been positive in the fact that I have had a chance to clear up issues relating to party communication and administration that have been weighing heavy this past term.
It seems as though there are issues affecting our party that many of you had wished the respect of knowing sooner, but were not privy to.
Please let me clarify, too, that my intent on bringing to light party matters and the encouragement to vote yes in the leadership review, is that this party can ensure a strong success in the next general election.
Although you may not be aware, it has been made public knowledge, that our party has limited funds and has weekend its ability to raise funds this term. In fact, last month our expenses were twice that of funds raised. With this in mind, in a vote that was not permitted to go to secret ballot at a board meeting, by our party president Reed Elley when asked for; and in contrast to our one MLA putting up his own money to fight the BC Rail case. John Cummins is now taking $4000.00 per month, plus his expenses, of the party’s limited resources, to add to his extremely high personal income, at a time when we need every resource possible to fight the next general election. With this in mind, we must ask ourselves what the motivation of the leadership of this party is when we have not seen, although we have gone through two by-elections, one workshop to train our volunteers in election readiness. When we had seen the growth of this party’s organisation develop, on an average rate at one Constituency Association (CA) every two weeks from 2010-2011, to a stagnant term where CAs have now resigned and dissolved. To the inability to provide in many instances a positive work environment, respect to volunteers, and a proper channel of communication to you our CA presidents and local representatives.
The fact of the matter is that we will not be relevant in the next election, even in times like these, through a campaign of press releases and limited resources.
I hope this brings more clarification to recent statements.
If there are other items I can clear up, you can give me a private call.
Ben Besler
BC Conservative Party
Vice President
1 comment:
This is an email sent from John Cummins’ daughter Carolyn to the BC Conservative’s vice president Ben Besler:
***********@gmail.com
Sep 6 (3 days ago)
Ben,
It has been an honor to view your humble opinion regarded the membership votes. I must say your tone sure has changed since I sat with you at the christmas party last year.
A year ago you came across as young, inexperienced, and incompetent. I now know my theory to be accurate.
I vote YES to you getting the boot from your position. You speak of respect, now respect your fellow conservative members loyalty to their party. Your “valued” opinion (although entitled) is meaningless and frankly unwarranted, now wanted. You do not speak for all. You speak for yourself and for the even more idiotic john Crocock.
Further please refrain from making such rash comments online. You sound like an imbecile. And make a fool of yourself.
Regards,
Carolyn Cummins
It’s completely inappropriate and viciously low for Cummins’ immediate family to personally assault BC Conservative members using words like“imbecile” especially one who is “the activist parent of an autistic child in the public school system” Bens number is +1 (604) 991-8094
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