Let's not make the start of 2017 a nasty political battle between provincial foes. Sure, it's tempting to wallow in fear-mongering through the overuse of exaggerated half-truths, ugly photos, simplistic solutions and cynical one liners.
But, please, not this time.
Sure, the NDP under Adrian Dix was roundly criticized for blowing a lead in the polls in 2013 by not playing dirty enough at election time and flip-flopping on key issues.
This time, John Horgan will want to portray a tougher stance but he and his candidates should stay clear of dirty politicking even if they are tempted to roll in the mud with Premier Christy Clark.
Similarly, the BC Liberals should avoid anything smacking of "quick wins," such as employing the cynical tactics seen in 2013's ethnic outreach scandal in an effort to win votes using government resources.
Both parties will be sorely tempted to call each other out on social media and take personal shots if it means getting or keeping the reins of power. Some party faithful may want to bend the rules or even break them to ensure their candidate wins.
But, please, don't do it.
Give voters the benefit of the doubt, and while your core supporters will vote for you anyway, you risk turning off voters, especially young people, if you insist on lowering the bar on political discourse.
We've seen it all before here and down south, and we are tired of political points being scored by over-dramatizing successes (BC Liberals — really, you can't take credit for a good economy when you didn't take the blame when things went south).
This should be the election (NDP, Greens we're looking at you) where reasonable, costed proposals are put forward, not endless fault-finding. No government is perfect, choices are made and, by the way BC Liberals, we don't need endless press releases and government ads to remind us how our money is spent, either.
Call us wary, disappointed, exhausted after what went on in the U.S. election. But after the global troubles of 2016, we want to see a brighter 2017.
Sadly, we're not betting that this advice will be heeded by anyone operating in B.C.'s notoriously polarized political arena.
