A lot of us #BCL supporters have been waiting years for this debate to finally happen.

We should *not* rush into a leadership race. The party needs to go through the necessary internal debate and renewal of our identity first. #bcpoli

1/

It’s untenable for Wilkinson to remain interim leader for this process. I could see him staying until years end and caucus needs to carefully select a neutral figure to be Interim Leader. Ideally they’re from Metro Van but our options for a diverse choice are limited...

2/

This side debate over the party name is pointless and energy is wasted on this. The right flank of our party isn’t why we lost and a rename is going to polarize and divide our coalition further.

This election showed that the party learned the wrong lessons from 2017.

3/

The thinking went that had there not been a BC Con. spoiler in Courtney-Comox we’d likely have a slim majority Gov’t. So energy was spent placating the right and attacking BC Conservatives.

While it’s undeniable some BC Cons played spoiler in the Valley (& possibly Vernon)

4/

My opinion is the Fraser Valley candidates got squeezed on both sides. The traditional conservative constituency split some votes to BC Cons. But younger socially progressive families leaving Van for the Valley are changing this area and it’s political DNA.

5/

The real issue is we have forgotten how to speak to urban middle class moderates and appeal to their needs through our policies.

We’ve been hell bent on this hard hats, trucks and blue collar energy that does nothing for us in the urbanized South Coast

6/

Now, I’m not naive to this being a tricky balance. All the energy can’t now be all about MetroVan and taking the rural Interior/North for granted. The party needs to be careful to not further fuel the provinces rural/urban divide.

The energy in this party since 2012....

7/

...has been focused on how to placate the centre right and has taken the federal Liberal (yes, Trudeau voters are part of our coalition!!) supporters for granted. I know far too many fed Libs who could come back home but are turned off by how the party has evolved.

8/

BC Liberals are best when we unite around fiscal responsibility and pro growth policies while communicating in a way that underscores how this translates into sustainable social services that lift up all of us including our most vulnerable.

9/

We need to also get back in touch with our roots as the visionary party for this province. We brought in N. America’s first carbon tax, we get big things done like the Olympics, Port Mann Bridge, Site C etc.

Since 2013 we’ve been resting on our laurels and ...

10/

...are no longer bold with our vision for the future. We should be leading on how to take BC to the forefront of a new green economy, technology and more.

Finally, a reckoning is long overdue with the social conservative *minority* faction of the party.

11/

As a gay supporter I have been so disillusioned and hurt by how we’re expendable in the pursuit of placating problematic SoCon MLAs.

It’s a MASSIVE turn off in urban and suburban districts. Voters who otherwise would be open to our message end up...

12/

...tuning out when outbursts of socon rhetoric make the news. Throness should have been dealt with a LONG time ago. Thankfully, a silver lining of this election is some problematic candidates didn’t win. This gives us a solid opportunity to renew.

While I still think...

13/

...we can have candidates that may personally hold these minority views the party needs to be clear that:

1) No constituency/party funds go to known problematic organizations/events/publications (e.g. Light Magazine)

...

14/

2) We support full LGBTQ+ equality, women’s reproductive freedom and making comments in any capacity as a candidate/MLA should be disqualifying and/or face discipline.

We need to put this to rest once and for all. The clear majority of our party is socially progressive.

/15

An additional silver lining is we have an ability to recruit much more DIVERSE candidates for 2024 who are under 40, LGBTQ+, racial/religious minority to better reflect this province.

There’s lot to do but I’m excited to see this necessary period of renewal go forward

/16

Politics is cyclical and BC Liberals will be back stronger than ever if we can heal and reunite around a common bold vision for this province.

#bcpoli

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