Mushroom cloud of doom settles over B.C. politics
The recall campaign was born of anger over his government's sneaky introduction last year of a harmonized sales tax. A binding, province-wide HST referendum is to be held next September and British Columbians will have an opportunity to reject the tax. By then, the Liberals will have a new leader, and the province a new premier. But that person will be HSTdamaged.
It's no wonder that two people whom polls suggested British Columbians thought could clean up the mess and rebuild the party work outside provincial politics.
But neither Carole Taylor, B.C.'s former finance minister and Chancellor of Simon Fraser University starting next June, nor Dianne Watts, popular Mayor of Surrey, want the role. Both women have firmly, recently, said ''no.''
A current caucus member will likely win the party leadership in February. The task will be to mend internal divisions and to restore public confidence in the party. And to accomplish all this over the course of what will be yet another unprecedented, tumultuous period in B.C. politics: Through an MLA recall campaign and an HST referendum, and toward a provincial election, fixed-dated for May 2013.
That's not a job. That's being strapped to a cruise missile and being shot into space. Betting starts now on when the next Liberal leadership crisis explodes.
Watching events unfold with modest satisfaction is Carole James, B.C.'s provincial NDP leader. Ms. James is not a charismatic politician but she is a person of sound character, compassion and determination. She led her party back from its brink since taking the leadership in 2003.
And her NDP is now way out front in public polls. What seemed unthinkable last year-- when Mr. Campbell won his third successive provincial election with his centre-right coalition -- is now for serious consideration: The possibility of a left-leaning B.C. government, led by Ms. James.
She offers a compelling message. The Liberals have "lied" again and again since 2001. On their promise to not expand gambling in the province. On their pledge to not sell B.C. Rail. On their budgets. Ms. James can campaign into the next election claiming she represents honesty and trust.
That is, if she isn't done in by her own enemies. Knives have been drawn inside her own caucus and in some ridings. Ms. James may herself face an internal revolt.
She acknowledged that this week, in an interview conducted inside her legislative office suite. "There are always critics," she said. The current ones represent just "a small group." She called them "a distraction," adding that NDPers are "better than anyone at infighting."
Well, almost.
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