Straight Talk

NDP MLA Leonard Krog endorses Mike Farnworth for party leader

by Matthew Burrows on March 30th, 2011 at 10:23 AM
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      Long-time Nanaimo MLA and 2003 NDP leadership candidate Leonard Krog has become the ninth MLA from his party to endorse the candidacy of leadership hopeful Mike Farnworth.

      “I said not long ago that this decision would be made on the basis of who has the best chance to defeat Christy Clark and the BC Liberals, and Mike is clearly that candidate,” Krog said in a news release today (March 30).

      Farnworth said he was “honoured” to have the support of his long-time caucus colleague.

      “I know winning the next election is the priority of New Democrats across the province, and I believe I am best positioned to lead us to victory, whenever the vote may be,” Farnworth said in the same release.

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      Matthew Burrows

      @mpbuzz

      Matthew (Paul) Burrows is staff writer with the Georgia Straight, where he’s called Matt. He was born in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, England in 1971. He shares his birthday with Billy Connolly, filmmaker Mark Achbar and the current mayor of Fort St. John.

      Now Matt’s a vegetarian...

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      Comments

      10 Comments

      cranky voter

      Mar 30, 2011 at 11:01am

      Gee more news about anyone but John Horgan.

      I will rethink the time I spend on this site. I used to think it was balanced.

      Stephen

      Mar 30, 2011 at 11:41am

      Mike may or may not be "electable" according to opinion polls, but give his ultra cautious approach to politics I'm left to wonder how bold a Farnworth-led government would be. Likewise with Horgan, who has just received endorsements from Paul Summerville and John Fryer. Summerville, a one-time federal NDP candidate, quit the Federal Party in 2006 to back fellow NDP turncoat Bob Rae in the latter's bid for the leadership of the Liberal Party. Meanwhile, John Fryer is supporting Green Party leader Elizabeth May.

      The only leading candidate whose commitment to NDP principles is not in doubt is Adrian Dix. Perhaps that's why he's not the preferred choice of the pro-Liberal media.

      Don Galloway

      Mar 30, 2011 at 12:05pm

      A very significant endorsement for Farnworth. It's clearer that he's the uniter in the race, with support from progressives like Corky Evans, Leonard Krog, Lana Popham, Norm Macdonald. Adrian Dix has the support of everyone who represents what is wrong with the NDP: Gerry Scott, Glen Clark, Bruce Ralston, Mable Elmore, Bill Tieleman, etc.

      The choice is clear.

      cranky voter

      Mar 30, 2011 at 12:07pm

      At least the Straight covers news about Dix.

      They wouldn't want to mention that John Fryer is the former BCGEU General Secretary, or that Paul Summerville is the former RBC Dominion Securities Chief Economist. Both of whom are endorseing Horgan.

      They also wouldn't want to mention the two Bakers dozen endorsments this week for Horgan namely North Coast MLA Gary Coons and Skeena MLA Robin Austin.

      At the time these two declared Horgan had the same number of MLA endorsements and had only one fewer dissident. That would be news others in the race.

      Give up on the NDP

      Mar 30, 2011 at 12:35pm

      Stephen is right about Farnworth's 'ultra cautious approach' and answers his own rhetorical question in asking it. If there is going to be a real left political party in BC, Stephen and people like him must come to the realization that people like Farnworth are the NDP. The NDP is not a party that will make any sort of the fundamental changes -- economic, environmental, equality changes -- that could lead to a qualitatively different province. They'll re-jig things and correct the most horrendous policies, but even Ms Clarke has done some of that by raising BC minimum wage rates, which are simply barbaric. The NDP is a diversion.

      Stephen

      Mar 30, 2011 at 1:16pm

      @Don Galloway
      After describing Farnworth as a "uniter," you proceed to disparage NDP MLAs and activists who happen to be supporting Dix. Isn't that a tad contradictory?

      cranky voter

      Mar 30, 2011 at 1:59pm

      @Don Galloway - what makes you think Evans is progressive? Not!

      Terry J. Nanaimo

      Mar 30, 2011 at 9:34pm

      Congratulations Farnworth.

      glen p robbins

      Mar 30, 2011 at 10:26pm

      Krog pretty much seals the deal for Farnworth, and assures a tough assault on Christy and BC Rail.

      fed up with posers

      Mar 31, 2011 at 9:03am

      @GPR - a bit premature are you not? There is the small matter of the Leadership vote by members. Just because Farnworth has held the lead in open public polling (including BCLiberals) does not guarantee he will win. The party has a history of seeing 3rd ranking candidates come up the middle. I personally see Mike as a really good guy however not very strong or assertive. Another Milquetoast Mikey. Lets see some spitfire action at the helm!