The Day BC Got Its Very First NDP Premier
A look back at the surprise, somewhat surreal, rather joyous 1972 election of Dave Barrett.
Dave Barrett: Now he was a BC Premier like no other!
Wed, 2017-07-26 00:31
#1
Dave Barrett: Now he was a BC Premier like no other!
Wed, 2017-07-26 16:11
#2
I'd consider rewriting the headline-Dave hasn't been premier in decades, but he's not dead.
Wed, 2017-07-26 16:17
#3
Don't you have anything better to do? Everybody knows Dave's situation. No wonder the left are born losers with comments like yours.
Wed, 2017-07-26 20:50
#4
!!
Wed, 2017-07-26 21:42
#5
The new premier was sworn in before a few officials and associates, family and the media. As he signed the book, a photographer asked him to “look up, Mr. Premier.” Sun columnist Allan Fotheringham reported that Barrett displayed a look of surprised delight at hearing himself addressed as “premier” for the first time. Afterwards, he lifted a glass of champagne and proclaimed: “This breaks a 20-year fast.” Outside, queried how he felt, the province’s 26th premier replied: “I feel a little more honourable.”
An hour later at the legislature, the province’s first socialist cabinet was sworn in. Fotheringham watched Barrett, closely. He wrote: “[He] wore a continuing grin of simple pleasure. It was not a smug, greedy look. Just a boyish failure to subdue his true feelings.” It was if he knew already his government would fundamentally change the province. There would be no hesitation, no turning back.
Four and a half decades later, it was the turn of another NDP leader to take the oath of office. This was a far more public, more high-spirited swearing-in than the low-key ceremony that ushered Dave Barrett into office. The ornate room at Government House was packed, befitting a date for the transition set well in advance, rather than by the back-of-the-envelope whim of Wacky Bennett. TV networks carried the ceremony live. First Nations dancers were front and centre. All 40 NDP MLAs were there, brought to the august residence in a rented bus. “That’s the way I roll,” said Horgan.
NDP Premier John Horgan at his jubilant July 18 swearing-in. Photo: Christopher Cheung.
