Descriptions of how Gordon Campbell’s B.C. caucus functions make it sound as if it is in danger of having a hockey game break out. Rather than televising the hopelessly boring staged cabinet meetings, Caucus Night could become a smash hit and help to pay off the massive increase in the debt accumulated in the New Era. With a little luck more juicy details will leak out and promoters may attempt to launch a TV series. A few more defections might help to promote the show.

It took 1,027 days from the date of the last election, but Elayne Brenzinger (MLA, Surrey-Whalley) didn’t mince words when she decided to escape Campbell’s oppressive regime. (See her statement below.) The former Executive Director for the Surrey Association for Early Childhood Education no doubt had difficulty answering her former colleagues when they asked about the differences between what Campbell said in Opposition and what he is doing in government.

Unlike Paul Nettleton who resigned over a specific issue — the privatization of large segments of BC Hydro — Brenzinger leveled a broadside at Campbell. Community dreams “crushed under this administration,” the “disassembling of B.C.” and pressures to serve the “misplaced ideals of one man” are charges that project a very broad pattern. Words like that leave no room for reconciliation; they put heat on former colleagues to explain why they are willing to abandon their constituents and represent Campbell’s “secretive mandate” rather than represent the people who elected them.

The Campbell government has trouble in the polls, is plagued with scandals, and is worried over who will next blow the whistle and cross the floor. Unlike cabinet, there is no oath of confidentiality or loyalty for members of caucus. It may be hard for Brenzinger to top her initial charges, but she is likely to have ample examples to illustrate her points. Can there be any doubt that she will fill in the details over the weeks ahead as Campbell’s damage control attempts to write her off as an isolated malcontent?

The experience of Nettleton and Brenzinger shows that some basic communication advice could be useful for up to a third of the Campbell caucus who may be considering following in their footsteps. A few dos and don’ts are offered here for those considering the leap.

Do:

  • Issue a clear statement on the reason for your decision. Elayne’s example of calling the Premier chaotic, haphazard and destructive to British Columbia is a good model but make sure to check the statement for grammatical errors.
  • Make yourself available to the news media on the day of the announcement and be prepared to do the talk radio circuit the following day. Politics is about communication, and you need the media to reach your constituents.
  • If you cannot have a new website ready to go, at least take your old site down as soon as you announce.
  • Visit the Speaker’s Office to determine your new seat in the legislature. Take your seat and throw a hard ball at the Premier during question period.
  • Line up a support network from your constituency to help you cope with the stress your former colleagues will subject you to.

Don’t:

  • Don’t go into hiding; by day three of the story, interest in interviewing you will wane.
  • Don’t take your colleagues attempts at character assassination personally. Be prepared to clearly and briefly answer their attacks.
  • Don’t fall behind in your constituency work. Promptly answer phone calls, good and bad.
  • Don’t count on getting re-elected as an independent. If you are going to run, join a party and seek a nomination.

    • Elayne Brenzinger’s statement as she exited Gordon Campbell’s caucus:

    Like many other MLA’s, I had a dream and a vision when I first considered running for public office. That dream of doing some good for the community has been slowly eroded away as we have been forced to mindlessly service, not the community, not BC, but the misplaced ideals of one man.

    Premier Gordon Campbell has shown a complete and utter disregard for the opinions of caucus and its elected members, instead pressing ahead with his own secretive mandate. As a result, community dreams and goals are being crushed under this administration.

    âe¦ Mr. Campbell’s administrative style has proven itself to be chaotic, haphazard and destructive to British Columbia. I cannot continue to participate in this disassembling of B.C. âe¦