If the past month in civic politics is any indication of things to come, the official month-long lead-up to the Oct. 20 civic elections in Surrey and White Rock just might resemble something akin to a gong show.
That there will be changes in both cities come voting day isn’t news. Voters in both cities learned months ago that they would be deciding on new leaders, after two-term White Rock Mayor Wayne Baldwin announced in January that he wouldn’t be seeking re-election, and single-term Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner declared her end-of-run in April.
But it’s unlikely that constituents expected – even if it’s what they’ve been hoping for – what looks more and more likely to become a full-on free-for-all of the two landscapes.
In recent weeks in Surrey, candidates left, right and centre have jumped ship or switched alliances at what could be described as an alarming pace. It makes it easy to wonder if they truly know where their own allegiances lie.
Three incumbent Surrey First councillors have resigned from that party since June: Bruce Hayne, Barbara Steele and Dave Woods, the latter of whom announced his exit this past Wednesday, after the party’s mayoral candidate Tom Gill indicated support for a Canada-wide handgun ban. Two others, Judy Villeneuve and Mary Martin, are not seeking re-election.
Hayne formed his own party, Steele decided to run alongside him and Woods has yet to announce his election plans.
Last week, Doug Elford, the founder the Surrey Community Alliance – a party that was formed to challenge the reigning Surrey First – was blamed for its demise after he resigned to run alongside former mayor Doug McCallum. McCallum, who held the mayor’s seat for nearly a decade, declared last month – 13 years later – that he wants it back.
The withdrawal of the SCA still leaves Surrey voters to sort through dozens of candidates representing at least five slates… so far.
White Rock could be seen as somewhat calmer when compared to Surrey, with just two slates and two mayoral candidates thus far, and no major surprises when it comes to who is running for what or with whom.
But if the recent Sea Festival Parade signage issue and back-room complaints are any indication, it seems candidates just might be more set on sniping at one another than developing a compelling vision for White Rock, effectively cancelling each other out in the quest to offer residents ‘genuine alternative voices.’
Looking ahead in both cities, it’s a little unsettling to wonder what the next four years could look like once the dust has settled.