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Vancouver Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
'Legalized election interference': Poilievre byelection challengers blast long-ballot protest group
OTTAWA — Efforts by an activist group to swamp the byelection ballot where Pierre Poilievre is trying to win a seat are angering some opponents who were hoping to spoil the race for the Conservative leader. Several independent and third-party candidates said the meddling of the electoral-reform activist Longest Ballot Committee (LBC) was detrimental to the group's stated aim of strengthening democracy and, if anything, would give Poilievre an easier pass in the critical byelection, scheduled for Aug. 18. The LBC plans to make the ballot the most crowded federal race in Canadian history with more than 100 candidates as a publicity stunt protesting against the government's refusal to implement a different voting system other than first past the post. It has done so in recent races in other ridings. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Jesse Cole, a spokesperson for independent candidate Bonnie Critchley, called the LBC's ballot crowding 'a form of legalized electoral interference' that drowns out legitimate voices for change. 'These candidates, who have no true intention of serving the people of Battle River–Crowfoot, only make it more difficult for legitimate, local independent candidates like Bonnie Critchley to challenge the status quo of Canada's dominant, two-party system and ensure a voice for her community,' Cole said in an email. Critchley, who lives in the riding, penned an open letter in late May asking the LBC not to interfere in the byelection. Her request fell on deaf ears, with 122 LBC-affiliated candidates on the ballot as of Monday afternoon. The group is aiming for 200 by the time nominations close next Monday. Critchley, who said she hoped her 'independent' label would attract free thinking small-c conservatives who voted for Conservative Damien Kurek in the recent federal election, will now be far from the only candidate with that affiliation. (Kurek was easily re-elected by a 71 point margin, before stepping aside to open a seat for Poilievre.) Libertarian candidate Michael Harris, who also lives in the riding, accused the protest group of making a joke out the riding and those who live there. 'Let's call it what it is: a coordinated mockery of the democratic process, designed to flood the ballot and drown out real debate,' said Harris in an email. Harris said that the meddling of the LBC, formerly affiliated with the satirist Rhinoceros Party, was no laughing matter. 'This flood of joke candidates doesn't just waste voters time. It actively hurts serious independent and third-party candidates who are working hard to give this riding real alternatives to the status quo,' said Harris. Harris said he's spoken to thousands of people who live in the riding and he believes most oppose the LBC's involvement in the byelection. He adds that the out-of-province group is flummoxing his efforts to press Poilievre on matters of local and provincial importance, such freeing local egg, poulty and dairy farmers from Ottawa-imposed production quotas and ending equalization. Another third-party candidate, Abraham Grant, called the protest campaign 'visual noise designed to obfuscate and frustrate the administration of democracy.' The Calgary-based Grant leads the United Party of Canada, which advocates for provinces standing up to federal and supranational power . NDP candidate Katherine Swampy also said she was vexed by the protest group when she was collecting signatures for her nomination papers. 'I found it very difficult to collect the 100 signatures because people were either very conservative, or worried about signing for someone who is on the longest ballot,' said Swampy in an email. Swampy, who ran in the neighbouring riding of Leduc—Wetaskiwin in the recent federal election, admitted it was also hard for her to collect 100 signatures there, with Conservatives dominating the region's politics. Liberal Darcy Spady was the only candidate not to criticize the LBC for its meddling in the byelection. 'Every Canadian has the right to put their name on a ballot and run for public office,' said Spady through a spokesperson. Poilievre called the initiative a 'scam' at a recent townhall in Stettler, Alta. , and suggested that the signature threshold for nominations be upped tenfold to 1,000 to make it harder for paper candidates, like the dozens running for the LBC, to get on the ballot. LBC spokesperson Tomas Szuchewycz said in an email that Poilievre's comments show exactly why the group's work is so important. 'Ever since we started the LBC years ago we have been calling for politicians like Mr. Poilievre to step aside and recuse themselves from deciding election rules … Poilievre's proposal for a new 1,000 signature requirement would have a profound and negative impact on Canadian democracy,' said Szuchewycz. 'In most of Canada it would turn every election into a two party race, and in safe ridings, like Battle-River Crowfoot, we would likely see no election at all, races would simply be won by acclamation,' he continued. Szuchewycz wouldn't say whether he saw Critchley's open letter asking the group to stay out of the byelection. One LBC-affiliated candidate, Matthew Gillies, said he saw Critchley's letter and decided to run anyways. 'I gave (the letter) some consideration prior to my decision to become involved (but) concluded that her concerns were without merit,' said Gillies. Gillies, who lives in Ontario, said that the protest group bears no responsibility for the shortcomings of legitimate campaigns. 'Any independent candidates, whether they are truly unaffiliated, or running as a protest option against a riding associations' choice candidate, will succeed or fail based solely on the growth of their personal brand,' said Gillies. Stettler, Alta. resident Brad Wohlgemuth said he thinks the group is spoiling the democratic process. 'Most of the people I've talked to are disgusted. It's also driving some people away from voting all together; like what's the point?' he said. National Post rmohamed@ Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our politics newsletter, First Reading, here .
Edmonton Journal
a day ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
'Legalized election interference': Poilievre byelection challengers blast long-ballot protest group
OTTAWA — Efforts by an activist group to swamp the byelection ballot where Pierre Poilievre is trying to win a seat are angering some opponents who were hoping to spoil the race for the Conservative leader. Article content Several independent and third-party candidates said the meddling of the electoral-reform activist Longest Ballot Committee (LBC) was detrimental to the group's stated aim of strengthening democracy and, if anything, would give Poilievre an easier pass in the critical byelection, scheduled for Aug. 18. Article content Article content The LBC plans to make the ballot the most crowded federal race in Canadian history with more than 100 candidates as a publicity stunt protesting against the government's refusal to implement a different voting system other than first past the post. It has done so in recent races in other ridings. Article content Article content Jesse Cole, a spokesperson for independent candidate Bonnie Critchley, called the LBC's ballot crowding 'a form of legalized electoral interference' that drowns out legitimate voices for change. Article content 'These candidates, who have no true intention of serving the people of Battle River–Crowfoot, only make it more difficult for legitimate, local independent candidates like Bonnie Critchley to challenge the status quo of Canada's dominant, two-party system and ensure a voice for her community,' Cole said in an email. Article content Critchley, who lives in the riding, penned an open letter in late May asking the LBC not to interfere in the byelection. Article content Article content Her request fell on deaf ears, with 122 LBC-affiliated candidates on the ballot as of Monday afternoon. The group is aiming for 200 by the time nominations close next Monday. Article content Article content Critchley, who said she hoped her 'independent' label would attract free thinking small-c conservatives who voted for Conservative Damien Kurek in the recent federal election, will now be far from the only candidate with that affiliation. Article content Libertarian candidate Michael Harris, who also lives in the riding, accused the protest group of making a joke out the riding and those who live there. Article content 'Let's call it what it is: a coordinated mockery of the democratic process, designed to flood the ballot and drown out real debate,' said Harris in an email.
Calgary Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
'Legalized election interference': Poilievre byelection challengers blast long-ballot protest group
OTTAWA — Efforts by an activist group to swamp the byelection ballot where Pierre Poilievre is trying to win a seat are angering some opponents who were hoping to spoil the race for the Conservative leader. Article content Several independent and third-party candidates said the meddling of the electoral-reform activist Longest Ballot Committee (LBC) was detrimental to the group's stated aim of strengthening democracy and, if anything, would give Poilievre an easier pass in the critical byelection, scheduled for Aug. 18. Article content Article content Article content The LBC plans to make the ballot the most crowded federal race in Canadian history with more than 100 candidates as a publicity stunt protesting against the government's refusal to implement a different voting system other than first past the post. It has done so in recent races in other ridings. Article content Article content Jesse Cole, a spokesperson for independent candidate Bonnie Critchley, called the LBC's ballot crowding 'a form of legalized electoral interference' that drowns out legitimate voices for change. Article content 'These candidates, who have no true intention of serving the people of Battle River–Crowfoot, only make it more difficult for legitimate, local independent candidates like Bonnie Critchley to challenge the status quo of Canada's dominant, two-party system and ensure a voice for her community,' Cole said in an email. Article content Critchley, who lives in the riding, penned an open letter in late May asking the LBC not to interfere in the byelection. Article content Article content Her request fell on deaf ears, with 122 LBC-affiliated candidates on the ballot as of Monday afternoon. The group is aiming for 200 by the time nominations close next Monday. Article content Article content Critchley, who said she hoped her 'independent' label would attract free thinking small-c conservatives who voted for Conservative Damien Kurek in the recent federal election, will now be far from the only candidate with that affiliation. Article content Libertarian candidate Michael Harris, who also lives in the riding, accused the protest group of making a joke out the riding and those who live there. Article content 'Let's call it what it is: a coordinated mockery of the democratic process, designed to flood the ballot and drown out real debate,' said Harris in an email.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC Breakfast star taking extended break from show amid presenter shake-up
One BBC Breakfast star has announced she will be taking an extended break from the BBC show amid news of a huge presenter shake-up and real fears Naga Munchetty might leave A BBC Breakfast presenter will be taking an extended break from the show amid a huge shake-up for the popular news programme. The breakfast show runs every morning from Monday through to Saturday. There is also a separate segment on BBC News on Friday's and also on BBC Breakfast on the Saturday morning called Newswatch, which covers some of the biggest news of the week. This week, the focus was on the Gregg Wallace and John Torode MasterChef scandal as well as the BBC's Gaza documentary. However, at the end of the segment, the presenter and journalist Samira Ahmed announced the segment would be going on a break. She told viewers: "We are off the air for a few weeks now, but please do continue to get in touch with us over the summer and we'll be back with more of your thoughts about how the BBC covers news in the first week of September." Fans were disappointed by the final segment for the summer. One wrote: " last one too," whilst another shared: "Well, that was a waste of 10 minutes!! #BBCBreakfast." A third penned: "Not this again. #bbcbreakfast." There have been real fears that Naga Munchetty could be leaving the BBC. Last month, it was revealed show boss Richard Frediani was on extended leave on the flagship show after complaints about his behaviour. "Her team last week renewed talks with LBC. The Global Radio station would suit her as there's far less of the fluffy nonsense that's involved in working at the BBC," a source had said. Reports say that Naga's representatives are currently in discussions with rival broadcaster LBC regarding a potential job change. Naga and Charlie Stayt present BBC Breakfast from Thursday to Saturday morning, while Jon Kay and Sally Nugent take the helm from Monday to Wednesday every week, except when they take breaks from the show for holidays. The BBC recently released their salaries, with Charlie staying with the £190,000 salary band, whereas Naga has had a £10,000 increase to her earnings, moving from £345,000 to £355,000. It has always been the case that Naga has been paid more than Charlie. Her pay packet accounts for 180 days of presenting on BBC Breakfast, as well as her Radio 5 Live programme and election coverage. BBC Breakfast insiders have defended the under-fire boss at the centre of a bullying probe, with one claiming: "The truth will come out." Show boss Richard Frediani is on extended leave on the flagship show after complaints about his behaviour.
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Vanessa Feltz: ‘I was chased down the street because I am Jewish'
Broadcaster Vanessa Feltz has revealed she was chased through the streets by a pro-Palestine activist who hurled anti-Semitic abuse at her. Feltz, 63, said a 'white man' tried to whip up fellow protesters after spotting her heading from work while he screamed 'fascist Zionist scum' at her with his speaker. The broadcaster feared she was set to become the victim of a mob attack before a female stranger intervened and told her to run for the Tube. Speaking on her LBC show on Friday, Feltz said: 'I'll tell you what happened to me not long ago. Often when I arrive here at Global, which is in Leicester Square, my arrival coincides with, as I walk along Piccadilly, one of the pro-Palestinian or pro-Gazan marches. 'But there was no march that week and when I came out of the building at six o'clock when the show was finished, there was a protest going on in Piccadilly. 'I was walking to get to the Tube station when suddenly I heard very, very loudly, 'Vanessa Feltz, Vanessa Feltz, fascist Zionist scum'. 'I wheeled round and there was a guy, he looked like a white guy to me, not that I know what his origin was, and he was chasing me, screaming into a megaphone and chasing me shouting. 'I'm a grandma, I'm 63-years-old, I've never been an athlete, I was wearing wedge shoes and carrying a handbag, and I thought, Oh my God, I can't run and if he catches me what will you do to me, is he going to beat me up?' Feltz revealed her ordeal when she was discussing Diane Abbott's claims that Jewish people do not suffer the same racism as black people. Feltz, speaking to Royal Holloway politics lecturer Michael Bankole, said: 'I'm only saying it because that's what I was called in the street. Obviously it wasn't because of the colour of my skin but it was because I'm known to be Jewish.' Ms Abbott was suspended from Labour again last week after she defended her 2023 comments about racism. The veteran MP apologised and was readmitted to the party before the 2024 general election, but in an interview with BBC Radio 4's Reflections programme last week, she said she did not look back on the incident with regret. Ms Abbott said: 'Clearly, there must be a difference between racism, which is about colour, and other types of racism because you can see a Traveller or a Jewish person walking down the street, you don't know. 'You don't know unless you stop to speak to them or you're in a meeting with them. But if you see a black person walking down the street, you see straight away that they're black. They are different types of racism. 'I just think that it's silly to try and claim that racism which is about skin colour is the same as other types of racism.'
