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EDITORIAL: Voters’ wishes rarely fulfilled

NANAIMO – Working for the electorate rather than an interest group a novel idea.

Politicians representing their constituents rather than party leaders or special interest groups is a request most Canadian voters have dreamt of for years.

Unfortunately, in this day and age with power-hungry politicians, it’s often simply that – a dream.

Three B.C. MLAs – Bob Simpson, Vicki Huntington and John van Dongen – are calling for reforms to party financing to put an end to corporate and union donations influencing provincial affairs.

It’s a refreshing idea, but all three are independent MLAs and have their work cut out for them.

From an all-controlling prime minister in Ottawa, to business-friendly Liberals and a pro-union NDP in B.C., politicians usually have their priorities and rarely does the electorate’s desires play a part in them.

Instead of their wishes brought to fruition, the public more often has to fight government to show politicians they were elected to work for the people.

Examples include Colliery Dam Park at the municipal level, the harmonized sales tax provincially and Idle No More on the national scene.

Unfortunately, for every time politicians listen, there are a host of times where they plough through with an agenda no matter how loud the voters protest. The Conservatives’ 443-page omnibus Bill C-45 is one example that comes to mind.

But change has to start somewhere, and three MLAs – albeit independents – is better than nothing. One can only hope  those who toe their party’s line will have a change of heart and see the sense in working for those who sent them to Victoria.

If not, the public has a trump card to play on election day May 14 and revoke a politician’s privilege of representing them any further.