Amy Hamm: The NDP fought dirty. I wish John Rustad had fought back

B.C. election outcome disappointing

Published Oct 20, 2024  •  4 minute read

John Rustad was far too calm during the election, argues Amy Hamm. (Arlen Redekop / Postmedia staff photo)

While no winner was declared in British Columbia’s election Saturday, the night ended with two very different speeches: Conservative Party of B.C.’s John Rustad spoke in the tone of a victor, and Premier David Eby in the tone of defeat. 

Neither party won the 47 seats needed for a majority, with the NDP elected or leading in 46 ridings, and the Conservatives in 45, as of Sunday morning. It could be days before the outcome is confirmed, as the province is waiting on Elections B.C. to tabulate mail-in ballots and perform recounts in ridings with fewer than 100 votes between candidates, which won’t be done until after Oct. 28.

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In his end of night address, which sounded much like a concession speech, Eby begrudgingly let Rustad have a small win: “He spoke to the frustrations of a lot of British Columbians,” he said, unsmiling. But then went on to add: “We’re fighting hate and racism and division.” We all know exactly who Eby is pointing the finger at. He has signalled his intention to continue insulting the character of anyone who disagrees with him.

By contrast, Rustad was all smiles and spoke of the incredible rise of his party. This was a Conservative victory, no matter the ultimate outcome.

British Columbians faced a choice: would we allow the perfect to be the enemy of good, and refuse to usher in a new Conservative government? Would we allow a New Democratic Party attack campaign, and the inexperience of John Rustad’s Conservatives, that likely did not expect to rise meteorically — and therefore scrambled to build a team and election strategy — to make us waver in our support of change? 

There’s no question that the public is tired of the status quo. We are tired of rampant homelessness, of unaffordable housing, of harm reduction failures, of public crime and disorder, of a health-care system on the brink of collapse, of a lacklustre economy, of government behaving as though our children’s minds belong to the state, and of a ruling party that — similar to Prime Minister Trudeau’s government  — has embraced divisive identity politics beyond the point of being palatable to anyone but the most hardcore party base.  

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As it happens, people find it distasteful to be referred to as racists, anti-vaxxers, bigots, homophobes, and conspiracy theorists. David Eby’s NDP lost significant support Saturday night; the man would be (even more) foolish to not have a come to Jesus moment on Sunday morning. 

British Columbians want change as much as we need it. It’s not clear yet that we will get it. Saturday night was a disappointment for voters who thought that our anxious wait for a new government would be over.

The NDP had no choice, really, other than to run a dirty campaign. Any party with such a deplorable record as Eby’s must rely on deflection, projection, and distraction. The NDP leader demanded the Conservatives drop as many as seven candidates for old social media posts, which would have conveniently ensured the party was granted another majority.

Through his campaign, Eby was snide, condescending, and contemptuous towards his opponents; his attitude and behaviour were so unchallenged, however, that people may have started to wonder if he had a point.

Rustad’s desire to stay out of Eby’s food fight may have been his greatest mistake. There comes a point when a party should reject pacifism. The Conservative Party jogged past this point and then started sprinting. I know I’m not speaking just for myself when I say that I wanted to see Rustad — calm and reasonable as he seems by nature — snap at Eby. Hammer him about his outrageous deficit! Take a shot — any shot.  

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Regardless, the NDP is going to have to reckon with the fact that they’ve lost many supporters and have, by extension of their attacks, intimated that huge numbers of British Columbians are “anti-vax,” bigoted, conspiracy theorists for supporting the Conservatives.

If Eby remains premier, will he soften his approach? Will he admit that his detractors have a point? He is arrogant, but is he also cunning? I’m not so sure.

Another shortcoming of Rustad’s campaign, as I see it, was that he did not focus enough on women’s sex-based rights. Despite the party’s anti-woke positions, they said little about women’s concerns over our diminishing rights. We are half of the voter base. Tell us that you know women don’t have penises. Tell us that you don’t want males in our private spaces or playing in our sports. Repeat it, and then say it again. We will vote for you. Canadian women can be antsy about voting Conservative — so reassure us that you will be on our side. It won’t backfire.   

Eby and Rustad both won their ridings, and no matter which man becomes premier, the election will still be an undeniable win for the Conservatives. Rustad came out of nowhere, with a party that has scarcely existed in B.C. for a century, and wiped out a strong NDP majority. He may not have won the premiership, but he certainly didn’t lose. 

National Post 

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