A quick B.C. history lesson

Quick! Test your Kelowna political knowledge here.

Who was Kelowna’s longest-serving politician for a single party? No peeking at the bottom. Do you ever wonder why almost everything Kelowna does seems so right-wing conservative?

Run on a progressive platform at any level in this area, and you are guaranteed to finish well down the list.

For decades the federal Conservative/ Reform parties have had an easy time getting elected here. The federal Liberals did win here in the last election, but most people doubt that will last more than one term.

Provincially, the Social Credit party had the area locked up for decades. And when the B.C. Liberals gained power, it turned out to be more of the same.

What is it about this area that makes it so tightly conservative both politically and financially?

First of all, Kelowna is not really much of a working person’s town. There are few major industries with unionized jobs. In fact, it is mostly a well-off retirees town where well-heeled investors try to protect their shares in companies.

Protect your big bucks at all costs, which is often decent social programs.

At times, it almost seems that their is little caring for street people, food banks, or reasonable housing for those less well off. Have you tried to rent anything in Kelowna recently?

Young people who graduate high school often face low-paying, basic job choices unless they go elsewhere.

Kelowna has given little consideration to get to the much-touted $15 minimum wage, which is much needed for basics. Seattle has begun to work towards this. The sky did not fall. The city is still there. Or, maybe it is the local church crowd that is usually conservative by nature. Yet, if one looked closely at the New Testament there are many examples of socialistic sharing among the early Christians.

Hint to those locals who sometimes believe and behave like American southern Baptists. Stop living in the Old Testament.

Perhaps the main reason is a poor understanding of broad-based taxation and what we as a whole society can produce if we hang together — better education, better health care, better basic housing.

We absolutely must get past an income tax system that allows for all kinds of tax dodges to a system that is fair an equitable to all.

And maybe we should try voting for some one with progressive ideas, rather than cut and slash of everything.

Kelowna has one of the lowest municipal tax rates in all the Okanagan Valley and the province. Why? Because the local politicians have argued for low taxation, forever.

Low taxation simply equals little progress in keeping up to the needs of a rapidly changing population.

After the fire of 2003, former Manitoba premier Gary Filmon issued a report with many recommendations.

Today, it would seem that much of this was not acted on by B.C. Liberals. Did they just hope global warming would go away?

Locally, Kelowna’s fire department has been understaffed for decades, resulting in many overworked members.

So who was it that served the longest for one party?

Was it Kelowna Mayor Dick Parkinson? Nope, only 11 years (1958-1969). But surely, you must have guessed W.A.C Bennett. Nope. Only 20 years with the Social Credit Party for him. (1952-1972)

In fact, Bennett took over the federal Conservative nomination from the longest-serving local politician for a 1948 byelection.

Conservative MP and Minister of Defence Grote Stirling served from 19241948 in the Yale riding, which then included Kelowna. He was the engineer for the early water systems in the Rutland/ Belgo area and his early home still stands on Belgo Road. Yet he receives few accolades.

But it goes to show Kelowna has been conservative for many decades.

Bennett lost that 1948 federal byelection to the CCF’s Owen Jones, before going on to be B.C.’s premier for 20 years.

Bennett lost his premiership to the NDP’s Dave Barrett, provincially in 1972. So you could say, he actually lost twice to the CCF/NDP.

Reg Volk is an Okanagan resident.