Surrey First Maps Its Strategy
Surrey First, Dianne Watts's new "un-slate," had a big bash last night, and made several announcements that will affect the civic election this fall...
1. Barinder Rasode has been named Surrey First's only "non-incumbent" candidate for Council. This is a huge coup for Rasode, a longtime Surrey community activist. She joins incumbents Linda Hepner, Mary Martin, Barb Steele, Tom Gill, and Judy Villeneuve. The five incumbents are a lock for re-election, and with Rasode having shown well in 2005 (although losing as part of Bob Bose's Surrey Civic Coalition slate), she has a very good shot as well.
Adding Rasode also reinforces the idea that Watts's coalition is not based solely on political philosophy; both Rasode and Villeneuve would be considered centre-left, while the other four are centre-right. "It's a big tent," as they say.
2. Surrey First will only run those six candidates for the eight seats, meaning folks can vote for them and two others (hello there, Marvin Hunt). Another smart play by Watts. It would be very tough to knock off the three non-First incumbents, and why pick another fight with Hunt or Judy Higginbotham supporters? Watts knows that a 7-2 vote is as good as a unanimous one.
3. Surrey First has announced it will not run candidates for School Board, choosing to focus instead on City Hall. Another good move, as it spares unnecessary conflict with various groups. Why pick a fight with a Heather Stilwell, for example? It also removes the idea that Surrey First is power-hungry, and wants to control everything within the municipality.
There are weak rumours in Surrey that Bob Bose may run for mayor, choosing to go out in a blaze of glory. I don't see it.
1. Barinder Rasode has been named Surrey First's only "non-incumbent" candidate for Council. This is a huge coup for Rasode, a longtime Surrey community activist. She joins incumbents Linda Hepner, Mary Martin, Barb Steele, Tom Gill, and Judy Villeneuve. The five incumbents are a lock for re-election, and with Rasode having shown well in 2005 (although losing as part of Bob Bose's Surrey Civic Coalition slate), she has a very good shot as well.
Adding Rasode also reinforces the idea that Watts's coalition is not based solely on political philosophy; both Rasode and Villeneuve would be considered centre-left, while the other four are centre-right. "It's a big tent," as they say.
2. Surrey First will only run those six candidates for the eight seats, meaning folks can vote for them and two others (hello there, Marvin Hunt). Another smart play by Watts. It would be very tough to knock off the three non-First incumbents, and why pick another fight with Hunt or Judy Higginbotham supporters? Watts knows that a 7-2 vote is as good as a unanimous one.
3. Surrey First has announced it will not run candidates for School Board, choosing to focus instead on City Hall. Another good move, as it spares unnecessary conflict with various groups. Why pick a fight with a Heather Stilwell, for example? It also removes the idea that Surrey First is power-hungry, and wants to control everything within the municipality.
There are weak rumours in Surrey that Bob Bose may run for mayor, choosing to go out in a blaze of glory. I don't see it.
posted by Jordan Bateman @ 8:00 AM
