Little difference observed between Ladner and Sullivan
It is understandable that COPE and Vision would take this line. But for the NPA this is a difficult choice. Right now they do not want to appear divided – even though they are. But as Ladner pointed out, if the NPA doesn’t deliver change, then Vision will. The current party line is that there was no difference in policy and it is all about personality. But some of those policies are really difficult to defend – including EcoDensity and the daft plan to widen Burrard Bridge. I think that the people of Vancouver want to see more than a different face and a more approachable manner. What the NPA seem to be saying is to put style over substance, and I think the small percentage of Vancouver residents who can be bothered to vote will regard that as insulting to their intelligence. I also expect NPA supporters to stay home – just like they did when they had the opportunity to choose a candidate for Mayor and so many didn’t.
But the best quote of the day is from
Al De Genova, a former NPA park board commissioner who is now seeking the Vision Vancouver mayoral nomination, was even more adamant that Ladner is unlikely to depart from the Sullivan policy book.
“I can say it in four words: Nothing has changed,” he said. “Peter has been toeing the party line for the past six years on council.”
In my view a basic qualification for municipal office is the ability to count – even if you have to use the fingers of one hand to do it.
Stephen Rees's blog 
Vision will elect their new mayoralty candidate later this week. If they choose Gregor Robertson (or possibly Raymond Louie) they’ll have a chance to unite the centre and left and beat the NPA. Both the NPA and COPE have PO’d many people while in power, but have remained the only realistic choices for a council majority until now.
The most important thing is not political strategy, in my opinion, but having a municipal leadership option that finally represents the centre where most voter’s preferences reside.
Meredith
June 10, 2008 at 10:57 am
I’ll give Al the benefit of the doubt and assume that they edited his quote to remove profanity. “Nothing has changed, [censored].”
I’m going to vote for any council candidates who will go on record in support a trial allocation of one or more lanes on the Burrard bridge for cyclists.
sgt.turmeric
June 10, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Raymond Louie voted for the trial and continues to support it, although he is open to other solutions as well. IIRC, Gregor Robertson is open to a trial as well.
Sungsu
June 10, 2008 at 5:52 pm
David Cadman also voted in favour of the trial reallocation.
Sungsu
June 10, 2008 at 5:53 pm