Why sidestep candidates debates?
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Updated: November 06, 2009 3:52 PM
I’m writing to express my disappointment that Diana Dilworth won’t be attending any candidate debates in the by-election. I just moved to this province from Alberta recently and I was looking forward to the candidate debates as an opportunity to properly inform myself.
I believe elections are a time when the people’s representatives are held accountable. An election provides regular people with the chance to voice their opinions directly to those in power, be it through the ballot or at all-candidates meetings. This is why it is so unfortunate that the Conservative candidate has chosen not to attend the upcoming debates.
By doing so, she is denying me (and anyone else) the opportunity to meet with her and share any concerns I might have about the present parliament.
I find her reasons for not attending to be troubling. Her campaign manager blamed it on a scheduling conflict. But the Douglas College student union had given her a range of options, and she declined all of them. I am curious to know what it is that is more important to her than providing voters with an opportunity to hear her views. If elected, how accessible of an MP is she going be when she can’t be bothered to show up for a candidates’ debate?
What does this say about her willingness to respond to citizen concerns?
I believe that debates are an essential part of the democratic process. They ensure that elected officials are accountable to the people. Dilworth’s decision to not attend the debates is a snub to the voters she hopes to represent.
Jason Hjalmarson
New Westminster
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