"I will not be a pawn in a game of ignorant kings."
The three-way competition for top spot in the Queens/Shelburne riding for MLA in the provincial election expected in 2017 or 2018 just got closer. In an online "resignation letter" on November 30, school teacher Seth Renaud quit the race just three days before the Dec 3 vote in Port Mouton (see below). The other two candidates include farmer and development specialist Joan Bower and author and slef-described "non-striking" Chronicle Herald reporter Vernon Oickle.
Liberal process Smacks of Communist methods
Among the reasons Renaud gave for his decision was that, as far as he is concerned, the Liberal nominating process was much like that employed in Communist countries with "...one chairperson of a political party who ultimately chooses who they would like to run..." against opposing candidates.
Admitting that he has worked at times for bothe the NDP and Progressive Conservatives, Renaud did not enumerate why he choose to run as a Liberal in this race.
Lies, deceit, lack of credibility
Renaud went to great lengths to voice his dissatisfaction with the Liberal Party apparatus and with party politics in general, saying "Party politics doesn’t work. It doesn’t work for democracy and it doesn’t work for the people." The party system, he added, was, "...insincere, so full of lies and deceit and lacking credibility."
McNeil's tactics with teachers "heinous"
He voiced pointed criticism of the way the McNeil government has dealt with the labour issues with the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, saying the premier's tactics were "heinous" during the year leading up to the recent job action."I have decided," he wrote, "I will not be a pawn in a game of ignorant kings."
Rival factions, plotting, back-room deal-making
The candidate iterated several democratic failures in the nomination process, saying that a campaign can quickly become over-run with people offering their opinions forcefully, opponents geting nasty and repeatedly violating ethical standards to gain an advantage. He said he expected the loss of complete control over a provincial campaign, but did not expect it during the campaign for a nomination. The process was not a "friendly rivalry", but rife with riding executive factions who wanted "all the power to be in Queens," former riding presidents being in conflict of interest, back-room deals and plots pitting Liberal against Liberal. "The sweet taste of change," Renaud wrote, "turned very sour very quickly."
Comments dictated by party
Renaud says he quickly began to realize that party politics, "is nothing but clubs for older generations and those who wish to emulate them, to play a game which has very little to do with the people they represent." He also relaized that, once the nominee, he would not be able to say what he wanted to say, but that his comments "would be dictated by the party" and he would become "...merely a talking head, a literal door to door salesman for the party. I would also be viewed as a tool for helping a political party secure their position of power and less and less as a human being. Only cheap sluff and campaign talking points would drivel out of my mouth, and few would take me seriously. They would see I represented a party not them."
Political suicide?
Liberal riding members who spoke to SCT but did not care to be named said that some of the assertions made by Renaud about his accomplishments in both Provincial and Federal Liberal associations were exaggerated and were actually the work of a collaboration. The combination of this and many other factors, according to a long-time Tory advisor is likely to spell the end of a political career for young Renaud. "That Facebook letter is a political suicide note," he told SCT.
To the barricades!
"It is on this note that I call for a revolution," Renaud added. "I call for all who are dissatisfied to vote for an independent candidate who speaks plainly and represents by logic and through the voice of the people. To form a legislature of genuine, sincere people, who are allowed to speak their mind and are allowed to have truly open debate. Who get the job done based on research and knowledge and not on what move may get the party votes."
Renaud ended his online screed by thanking those who supported him and believed in him and reminded them that he "would be an excellent candidate."
The Queens/Shelburne Riding Association holds their nomination meeting at the Port Mouton Community Centre at 12 noon, Saturday, December 3.
Seth Renaud's letter can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/david.coxrenaud
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