Green party gathers to talk shop

JOHN MOORHOUSE 2010-05-13 Kelowna Daily Courier:
The B.C. Green Party holds its annual general meeting in Penticton this weekend, but deputy leader Julius Bloomfield isn‘t expecting any major political fireworks. Nor is the Naramata resident interested in becoming party leader anytime soon, he said Wednesday, although he wouldn‘t rule out that possibility sometime in the future. About 75 delegates from across the province are expected for the two-day conference, which begins Saturday morning at Penticton Trade and Convention Centre. B.C. Green leader Jane Sterk, who ran in Esquimalt in last year‘s provincial election, will address the delegates during the opening session. Federal leader Adriane Carr will also be in attendance. Bloomfield said the convention provides an opportunity for the Greens to review ways of building support before the next election, still three years away.
"This is a time when we‘re building on our grassroots structure," he said. "We need to get out into the different areas and rebuild it at the local levels." The party executive has spent the past year reviewing the Greens‘ strategic plan and a new fundraising strategy. It now looks ahead to a couple of years of consolidating its support prior to the 2013 election. The party‘s constitution calls for a leadership review every two years, with the next one coming in 2011. Bloomfield, who represented the Greens in the Penticton riding in last May‘s election and was named deputy party leader in October, said the provincial executive remains supportive of Sterk, and said most party members back her, as well. In last year‘s election, Bloomfield picked up 15.5 per cent of the popular vote in Penticton, fifth highest among Green candidates in the province. Overall, the Greens gained 8.1 per cent of the provincial vote, down from the 9.2 per cent they gained in 2005."Personally, I was disappointed, and I think it was disappointing for the party as well," he said. "I think we could have done a lot better - and I know we will do a lot better next time." Guest speakers at the convention include Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs. First Nations consultant Tony Pearse will also address the meeting.