By Joe Johnson (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: October 10, 2012
UFV’s own John Martin, a professor in criminology, has decided to continue with his other career – the political spotlight. After running as a card holding Conservative in last April’s Chilliwack-Hope by-election and coming up third, he’s now with the BC Liberals and eyeing the Chilliwack riding nomination for BC’s general election on May 14, 2012. He’s spoken with The Cascade to explain.
You ran in the Chilliwack-Hope by-election last April as a member of the BC Conservative party. Today you’re a BC Liberal. Why join a party that just a few months ago you were quite critical of?
I believed I was doing the right thing then just as I believe I’m doing the right thing now. Things have changed. The BC Conservatives have demonstrated they are not capable of being a constructive voice on the provincial stage. They have reverted to fringe party status and can only play the role of spoiler and help elect an NDP government. I want to do what I can to prevent that from happening. Now, it’s time to bridge the differences between voters like myself who left the BC Liberals. I see a change. I see renewal. I am willing to play a part in bringing it back together.
Can you tell me about your decision process to make the jump in parties?
I view politics as public service and a tour of duty, not a career. There is no greater place to be employed than the University of the Fraser Valley. I am looking to make a contribution to my community and province and with my wife’s complete support, seeking the nomination is the proper thing to do.
Given the current polls it looks like the BC Liberals are heading for defeat in May’s election. The party’s also losing a number of MLAs who are looking to the private sector after their terms end. You’re going in the opposite direction. Can you talk about being involved in a party that’s in such a great flux right now?
I would suggest the party is in a state of renewal. Most of the retiring MLAs have been in office for many years and returning to the private sector is simply part of the natural process.
The BC Liberals have demonstrated to me they want to heal the fracture in the coalition and are reaching out to those of us who had become disenchanted with the party in recent times. The polls will tighten as we get closer to the election and the NDP will have to start providing some indication of what they would do in government. I expect the polls will tighten even more once they have to respond to scrutiny by the media and voters.
Along with the announcement of your changing of parties, you also declared intentions to seek the BC Liberal nomination and run in the Chilliwack riding. Having run in the Chilliwack-Hope riding and come up short, is the constituent base of Chilliwack likely to be more Liberal friendly?
The by-election demonstrated two things. First: when the non-NDP vote is split between two parties, the NDP wins. Second: even in as conservative a constituency as Chilliwack-Hope, non-NDP voters were quite clear that the BC Liberals remain the first choice for free enterprisers. The Liberals are going to do very well in Chilliwack, regardless of who the candidate ends up being.
Why announce your defection to the BC Liberals on the eve of the BC Conservative Annual General Meeting where a leadership review of John Cummins was likely?
Once I made my decision to take out a membership with the BC Liberals it was essential I sever my ties with my former party as soon as possible.
John van Dongen also left the BC Conservatives after being their only sitting member in the Legislature. In his case he decided to leave after the AGM and that no current party represents his beliefs. Were there any discussions between the two of you on plans to leave and the party’s direction?
We spoke often about the state of affairs within the BC Conservatives but both our announcements came as surprises to one another.
Did you ever consider sitting as an independent yourself?
No, never gave it a second thought.
What are your thoughts on the leaders: Cummins, Premier Clark, as well as the NDP’s Adrian Dix?
The demands of public office, and especially being leader of a party, are overwhelming 365 days a year. Any person who takes on such a responsibility is to be commended for their commitment to public service. On a professional and personal level, I have a world of respect for all three leaders.
If you receive the BC Liberal nomination and you don’t win in the upcoming provincial election, would politics still be in your future?
Regardless of what happens with the nomination and the general election, I am committed to doing what I can to strengthen the coalition and supporting the BC Liberals in whatever capacity I could best serve.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
