Mellalieu Backs Darwin Ahead of Leadership Debate

This evening the BC Green Party will be hosting their leadership debate.

A trio of British Columbians have stepped forward to replace outgoing leader Andrew Weaver. They are Cam Brewer, Kim Darwin, and MLA Sonia Furstenau.

Local Green Party Member Robert Mellalieu has run for office both federally and provincially under the Green banner and joined Q101 News ahead of the debate to discuss the race.

“One of the things that is really cool about it is there is so much interest in it. I think that shows that the party has gained some serious traction and that’s uplifting,” began Mellalieu.

“One of the main tenets of the Green Party is that it’s a grassroots organization. I’m very interested in candidates that are going to honour that, and understand how that works,” said Mellalieu. “We could have a situation where we’re going to go to a top-down type of system. That’s not how the Green Party is supposed to work, its supposed to come from the membership. The policies and ideas are supposed to come from the membership.”

Of the three candidates, Mellalieu is putting his support behind Darwin.

“Kim Darwin is my choice at this point. She has been with the Party for a long time, incredibly hard worker, small businessperson. She understands business, she understands the economy and the environment and how it all works together,” added Mellalieu. “She also understands all the tenets of the Green Party and how it’s supposed to be a grassroots organization.”

The debate, beginning at 7:30 pm, can be viewed on the Green’s Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages.

Following the debate voting will take place from September 5-13, with the new leader being announced on September 14.

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