5.6 C
Niagara Falls
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Letter: NDP, Green voters should support Liberals

Dear editor:

Some thoughts for possible NDP or Green party voters, and undecideds, in the Sept. 20 federal election. I will vote Liberal, but, for others, please just read and consider the following, pragmatically:

* Given the history of voting data in our riding of Niagara Falls, it is highly unlikely a federal NDP or Green party candidate can win in this riding in this election. Neither the NDP nor the Greens have ever come anywhere near winning in this riding, nor has their combined total been near a winning one.

* The NDP and the Liberals have much in common in terms of progressive values/views/social policies, etc.. The NDP has, historically, advocated numerous progressive programs and policies (e.g., health care). I am fond of the notion that “NDP voters are Liberals in a hurry,” but it has been Liberal governments that have actually enacted versions of NDP priorities; today’s NDP and Liberal platforms overlap on many priorities and policies.

* The Greens also have much in common with Liberals, notably, the priority both attach to “green” issues (environmental protection and conservation). At the moment, the Green party is in disarray, with well-publicized, deep, active, internal disputes, and pending, costly legal fights in the courts. The party has only ever elected three federal MPs (none in Ontario), and one of those recently moved over to the Liberals.

My bottom line: the best choice, in Niagara Falls riding (and in others), for prospective NDP or Green voters to advance progress on their priorities is to vote for a Liberal candidate. Here, that is Andrea Kaiser.

Voting in our riding for an NDP or Green candidate may well result in a Conservative candidate winning Niagara Falls yet again, if not nationally. For both NDP and Green voters, and, yes, Liberals as well, that is the least desirable outcome. Please just consider the above when you come to mark your ballot for the federal election.

And one final point: the Conservative party formally dropped “Progressive” from its name almost two decades ago, in 2002.

Rick Kirby

NOTL

Subscribe to our mailing list