Simpson becomes B.C.'s 4th independent MLA

Former B.C. NDP MLA Bob Simpson says the time of two-party politics in B.C. is over and he plans to chart his own political course as an independent MLA.

"The kind of mess and turmoil that both the Liberal party and the NDP are in right now will cause people to demand a whole different kind of politics in the province," said Simpson on Tuesday.

Simpson will join three other independent MLA's in the B.C. Legislature when he applies for official Independent Riding Association status on Wednesday.

The outspoken Cariboo-North MLA was kicked out of the NDP opposition two months ago by party leader Carole James after criticizing a speech she made, in an online posting.

But with the NDP and the B.C. Liberals both rocked by internal power struggles that led to the resignation of both parties' leaders in recent weeks, Simpson says the two parties are losing their grip on politics in B.C.

"Have we come to the end of party politics giving us good governance? I think that is what British Columbians are saying," he said.

"Political parties were meant to be organizing tools, not ends in themselves," Simpson said in a statement. "Today, the prospects of the "Party" overshadow the needs of the electorate."

Party politics also facilitates what Simpson calls "the dictatorship of the premier's office," to the point that even cabinet ministers are not consulted prior to major decisions being made.

Joining 3 other independents

Delta South MLA Vicki Huntington was the first independent candidate in 60 years to win a seat in B.C. when she defeated Liberal cabinet minister Wally Oppal in the 2009 election.

She was later joined by twoformer Liberal cabinet ministers, Blair Lekstom who quit the party over its support for the HST, and Bill Bennett, who was kicked out of the party for calling for Premier Gordon Campbell to resign.

Huntington agrees with Simpson's view that B.C.'s two main parties can't see a shift underway.

"I really don't think they see that there is a swing happening, a shift happening, in what democracy ought to be about these days," she said.

Huntington says people are tired of being mistreated by politicians.

"You are ignoring our voice. You are buying our vote at election and turning your back on us for the next four years and we are done with it," she said.