After months of teasing the prospect, Aaron Gunn officially announced he’s running for the leadership of the BC Liberal Party..“I’m tired of sitting on the sidelines … the policies being enacted are the antithesis to common sense,” Gunn told an enthusiastic crowd assembled at the Greek Community Centre in Saanich — a municipality of the Greater Victoria area — moments ago..“For too long, politicians have promised us one thing, but failed to deliver once in power … under the NDP things have gotten worse,” he said, referring to John Horgan’s government..“I think it’s time for a change, I think it’s time for renewal and I think it’s time for common sense,” he said moments before officially announcing his candidacy..Gunn, who’s running under the banner: Bring Back Common Sense, joins six others — Gavin Dew, Kevin Falcon, Michael Lee, Val Litwin, Ellis Ross, and Renee Merrifield — who’ve already tossed their hats into the leadership race ring..Yet Gunn, 31, said he brings something new to the party..“(I’m) offering British Columbians for the first time in a long time, I think, a real choice and a real alternative with how our province should be run,” he told the Western Standard, during an exclusive interview Friday..His priorities will include scrapping the carbon tax, “serious” health care reform, and opposing vaccine passports..“I’ll be the only one in the race opposing opposing those, as I believe I have a substantially different approach than the other candidates. I’ve got very clear positions on on the development of resources, on supporting our forest industry, on supporting our energy industry, and a whole bunch of other things.”.One of those includes taking a deep, hard look into policing in BC..“Instead of defunding the police, I think we should be defending the police,” he said..“You’ve got brave men and women in law enforcement — I think most people wouldn’t want those jobs right now — and I think they should be supported and given the resources they need to successfully do their jobs. And whether that’s addressing the revolving door justice system, the catch-and-release policies that are being pursued by the federal government, or the allowance of these activists … where police are pretty much just walked all over,” Gunn said..“These foreign-funded activist groups know exactly what they’re doing and they take advantage of our of our system, and kind of just laugh in the police’s face. And of course, taxpayers are left with the bill.”.Gunn said changes need to come from the top..“I think it all starts with political leadership,” he said..“When (police) feel they don’t have the political support, or no one’s got their back, I think that trickles down into what you see in everyday policing issues. I know many police — I’ve talked to people in the Vic PD, for example — they know sometimes they arrest one of these people, and they do all the paperwork only to see them back on the streets in just a matter of days, or even less..“So I think there’s lots of problems and, provincially, there’s only so much you can do, but you can direct prosecutors to pursue maximum sentences, and to pursue people who are repeatedly and flagrantly breaking the law.”.Gunn served Canada during a three-year stint in the Army Reserves straight out of university, before he went to work for the Canadian Taxpayer’s Federation where he founded and became executive director of the “Generation Screwed” initiative which battled government debt, among other issues..He’s been on the fringes of the political scene for the past three years or so, and his YouTube videos have garnered more than 50 million views and tens of thousands of followers, making him one of British Columbia’s most listened to political voices. (As an example, his Facebook followers number 20,000 more than Premier John Horgan)..And speaking of Horgan ….“I’m running not so much just to be the leader of this party, but to be the next premier of British Columbia,” said Gunn..“I know for sure three years from now (when BC holds its next provincial election), regardless of where COVID is, all these other issues are still going to be around. Whether it’s the cost of living, whether it’s our broken healthcare system, whether it’s an increasingly ideological education system, or whether it’s energy and resource industries that continue to struggle and compete internationally because of government policies.”.Gunn emphasized those issues are pertinent now, and they will continue to be so in the future..“COVID is obviously a little bit of an uncertain future that’s hard to predict. So when I approach that, I approach it from a perspective of looking out for the health and well being of British Columbians, but also while respecting their rights, their constitutional charter rights and their individual health care choices.”.However, say Gunn gets the Liberal nod, will three years be enough time to rebuild the party and win the provincial election?.“I sure hope so,” Gunn said..“I think voters voted for alternatives right now. And I think instead of trying to paper over or hide our differences with the NDP, we should actually be amplifying them and showcasing … how we are different and, of course, that does start with a new leader.”.Gunn said he not only wants to rebrand the BC Liberal Party — which is not affiliated with its similarly named federal party, but to rename it, as well, to reflect his and other party member’s conservatism..“I have a couple ideas (for a new name), but I’m keeping those cards pretty close to my chest for now.”.But at the moment, Gunn said he’s acutely focused on winning the leadership race..“I think so far this race has been a bit of a snooze-fest and it’s time to inject something that gets people to take notice and to give something for people to vote for, not just vote against.”.Mike D’Amour is the British Columbia Bureau Chief for the Western Standard..,.mdamour@westernstandardonline.com
