Vicki Huntington says two things are critical to be elected as an Independent member of the legislature in British Columbia — trusted name recognition and an angry constituency. She would know.
Vicki Huntington says two things are critical to be elected as an Independent member of the legislature in British Columbia — trusted name recognition and an angry constituency.In 2009, Huntington became the first Independent MLA elected to the B.C. legislature in 60 years and went on to become the first ever woman re-elected as an Independent, representing Delta until 2017.
Huntington said in an interview that BC United"pulled the rug out" from under its candidates in August when Falcon suspended the campaign and threw his support behind B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad. Huntington came to power in Delta after years as a popular local councillor and following fights with the provincial government over the community hospital and highway construction.Huntington said there is a misconception that Independents don't have power in the legislature.
"I had, on three or four occasions, members of the opposition and even a member of the government party come to me and say, 'Vicki, I have a critical issue in my riding. I'm not going to be able to get up and ask a question — government can't ask questions — Would you ask a question for me?'" she said.But holding the mantle alone is not without its challenges, particularly when running an election campaign.
“I had already purchased my signs out of that fundraised money through the BC United, and they were right in my campaign office. So, I already had those signs," he said. Davies said changes in election law since Huntington ran mean that large corporate donations are not available, but his constituents have been more than willing to open their chequebooks.
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