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EDITORIAL: Don’t just parrot the party line

Despite predicts about voters’ choices in the provincial election , the only certainty is change.
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Despite what many are predicting with barely concealed certainty about local voters’ choices in the May 9 provincial election, the only guarantee is change.

With one new riding and three restructured ridings in Peace Arch News’ readership area since the last provincial go-around in 2013, there is no chance of voting for an incumbent in any of the four. One sitting MLA is retiring, and two others have opted, with little explanation, to try their luck in neighbouring ridings.

When one considers the large number of choices – seven candidates in the region’s newest riding alone, and four each in the other three – hopeful politicians and any parties they represent would be unwise to count their unhatched chickens early.

While historically voters in White Rock, South Surrey, Cloverdale and Panorama have opted for right-of-centre candidates, there just might be a lesson to be learned from recent voting patterns here (think the unanticipated South Surrey-White Rock squeaker in the 2015 federal election), near (did you predict this time last year a President Donald Trump?) and overseas (Brexit!).

For many, it will come down to partisan politics. Those people’s votes are already processed and counted within their respective parties.

For the rest of us – and the numbers might surprise the party faithful and their leaders – our votes are up for grabs in the days ahead. Some will vote for party platforms, others said against platforms. But speaking directly to the individuals campaigning locally, we suggest you make your personal case on why you should represent us, to garner votes from the undecided.

After all, while individual voters might feel their voice is unheard in Victoria, there are plenty of ways to be heard by an individual MLA. That doesn’t mean the elected individual will necessarily heed your advice, but getting him or her to listen is certainly the easier challenge.

With just days to go until voters make their marks, candidates should be encouraged now to do more than simply parrot – and toe – the party line.