Ralston calls Liberal’s unauthorized endorsement from RCMP Chief Superintendent “desperate move”

 

May 2, 2009

Bruce Ralston, NDP candidate and incumbent MLA in Surrey –Whalley, is demanding an explanation from the BC Liberal Party for a fabricated endorsement by Surrey's top cop of their local candidate.

The local Liberal candidate's campaign literature prominently features a picture of the candidate posing with Surrey's Chief RCMP Superintendent, Fraser MacRae. The caption reads:

"Together we will keep Whalley and Surrey safer for our children. Together we will succeed."

 

Ralston said his campaign staff contacted the RCMP in Surrey and received an assurance that the endorsement was not authorized, and that Chief Superintendent MacRae would be calling the BC Liberal party Monday to follow up.

 

“It is an obvious attempt to mislead the voters into believing the Chief is endorsing Radhia Benalia's candidacy,” said Ralston.  

“It smacks of desperation and a profound lack of knowledge of what is appropriate. Ms. Benalia is a very inexperienced rookie, but her Party should have known better.”

“We have asked the Chief Superintendent to issue a statement and will be following up with his office next week,” Ralston.

 

“In addition, I expect a strong retraction from the Liberal Party to be issued to every resident in Surrey-Whalley who received this misleading piece of literature,” Ralston said. 

For more information contact:

Lori Winstanley

Campaign Manager for Bruce Ralston

604 587 5559

778 828 4039