[LabComm] James looks to future at Surrey victory party

[BC NDP NEWSWIRE]

New Democrat Leader Carole James spoke to 700 enthusiastic supporters at the victory party in Surrey Panorama-Ridge last night.

Here's what she had to say:

-------------------------

Thank-you -- What a night!

Friends, I want to say how proud I am of every one of you.  But most of all I want to say how proud I am of the new MLA for Surrey-Panorama Ridge, Jagrup Brar!

Jagrup, let me say I've never seen anyone more focused and determined as you've been preparing for this campaign and taking your message to the people of this community.

And I want to say thank-you to you and your family – Rajwant and your daughter Noor -  for giving up so much to make this day possible.

Everyone here is so proud of you.

But I think the happiest people in the room tonight are your new caucus colleagues – Joy MacPhail and Jenny Kwan.

It's not often that a caucus grows by a full third after one by-election – both in size and height.

Joy and Jenny have done the work of 40 MLAs in the Legislature over the last three years.

And now, with you sitting next to them staring down the Campbell government, that job will get a little easier and a lot more fun.

Yes it's a great night for New Democrats.

But more importantly it's a great night for British Columbia and a great night for the people in Surrey Panorama-Ridge.In Jagrup, the residents of Surrey have elected an extraordinary person to be their MLA.  

A person who will work as hard as he can to represent their interests.  

A person who will make them proud.  

And a person who will stand up to the Campbell government.

>From day one the BC Liberals have made the wrong choices for average families.

And we’ve seen the results.

Ballooning health waitlists.  Higher taxes and fees for low and middle-income earners.  Cuts to education.  Cuts to crime prevention.

And opportunities denied for average people to make a better life.

The government threw everything they had at this election.

Millions of dollars in taxpayer funded advertising telling us what a great job they were doing.

But all the ads in the world can't cover up the truth.

And the truth is, this government is not working for most British Columbians.

The truth is, this government is working for the few, not the many who work hard, pay their fair share of taxes, and want the government to be there for them in return.

And the truth is, this government is out of step with the aspirations and hopes of the vast majority of British Columbians.

British Columbians who are looking for a fiscally responsible, compassionate government that helps them realize their dreams.

Friends, tonight, Gordon Campbell and the BC Liberals have been sent a clear message.

And that message is:  We can't wait for May 17, 2005.

And Jagrup and the NDP are ready to take up that challenge all over the province.

We are ready with a positive agenda.
 
An agenda of new opportunities for education.  New opportunities for skills training. New opportunities for better public health care. And new economic opportunities for a better life for all British Columbians.

An agenda that leaves no one out. An agenda that leaves no one behind.

Yes, tonight is a great night.  But it's just the beginning of a very long campaign.

When I became leader I made a commitment to reach out to British Columbians from all walks of life to build a new progressive alternative to this government.

We have come a long way.

But we're not there yet.

Everyday we have to wake up and ask ourselves:

"What can we do to earn the support of British Columbians...?"

"What can we do to build a province that works for all people. The many, not just the few?"

We have seven months to bring our vision to every doorstep in this riding, and every family and every voter in British Columbia.

That's a tall order.

But if we do that -- strongly, forcefully, passionately -- then friends, we will win a victory that will echo for generations. 

And we're counting on every one of you to be a key part of that work -- and that victory.

Congratulations on this wonderful night.  

Now let's get out there and take it to May 17!

Thank you.

-30-

To unsubscribe or change your settings go to: http://www.e-2ve6y.signup.bc.ndp.ca/
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://bcfed.net/pipermail/labcomm/attachments/20041029/83f940c4/attachment.html>