The Written Word: June 24, 2008

Tuesday, June 24, 2008 03:44 AM

The resignation of NDP MLA Gregor Robertson so that he can campaign for

Mayor of Vancouver caught his leader, Carole James by surprise which in itself says a message. Has the NDP leader got such little rapport – dare I call it respect? – from caucus that when they leave they don’t bother telling her until after the media has the story?

There are always rumours about bad relationships between leaders and caucus members and I don’t suppose many of us much care, even when we vote. But bad relationships are better than no relationship at all and if rumours are true that many of the caucus think Ms James is aloof and doesn’t care much about them the party is in trouble.

Carole James is going to miss Mr. Robertson as a colleague. He’s a successful businessman, not a common commodity in an NDP caucus and one of those rare politicians who has “star quality”.

The bigger problem for Ms. James is the by-election Robertson’s resignation has caused. The seat was once Liberal (Gary Collins, former BC Finance Minister) so is scarcely a slam dunk. This is the first case of Ms James idiotic rule that when a male MLA retires the candidate must be a female. This means that instead of the by-election being a chance for the public to give the government a slap on the writs, or elsewhere, it will be more a referendum on Ms James.

How fortunate bit is for the Liberals that Mair’s Axiom II is clearly in operation – “you don’t have to be a 10 in politics, you can be a three if everyone else is a two.

Premier 3 meet Opposition Leader 2.

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Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 03:44 AM in Views by Rafe Mair

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Comments

Posted by: tinyapplecork on June 24 2008 6:20 AM

They were communicating with each other prior to his final decision. I have been following this development on Global so I think you are way off base on the surprise factor.

Posted by: beesknees on June 24 2008 7:57 AM

I agree with Rafe, this is going to end up being a popularity contest for Carole, and a protest vote against Gordon. Enter the Green Party, this is your chance to get your foot in the door.

Reminds me of a few years ago, kiddies, when the NDP and the Socreds were arguing, and little Gordon "This is why nothing gets done in British Columbia" entered, and a resurgence of the Liberal party followed. Two unpopular leaders at the time, and BC was looking for a change.

Probably not the same situation now, as the Liberals are in charge of a pretty good situation as far as the large majority of BC is thinking, but with two unpopular leaders (one people can't seem to trust, the other people don't want to respect...), a protest against both could translate into votes for another party.

Another reason for me to hate partisan politics, and wish there was an alternative out there, that voted for the person most qualified for a portfolio/position.

Posted by: Bridge on June 24 2008 10:26 AM

I have been following this development on Global.

I havent been following it but I dont think that I would use Global as a source for my information These people are word smiths and that walk with a right limp.

Cheers

Posted by: Eagleone on June 25 2008 1:44 AM

More reason for me to support the BCSTV process... so that party leaders like Carol James aren't giving me a shot-gun ballot... rather than the best available candidate.

I choose to have a choice on my ballot, and therefor I choose yes for BCSTV ballots.

Posted by: socredible on June 25 2008 8:12 AM

Won't work, Eagle. It's a worse proposal than what we've got now. The 'programme' for the election has still been pre-decided for you. It's like asking everyone what's wonderful about Canada, and then giving us five or six answers from which they can choose.

If he who asks the question provides the answers, it's pretty well predictable which ones are going to be chosen.

And that won't change to any appreciable degree if you get to pick them in order of preference rather than make just one choice.

No election ballot like that ever has "none of the above" on the bottom of it, with a place to indicate that's your choice if you don't agree with any of the choices that've been pre-selected for you.

So there's still absolutely no necessity for the candidates running to actually find out what YOU really want in the way of results from "your" government, and promise to represent YOU in getting them.

They simply do just what Carol James is trying to do with her "axe the tax" petition. Not give you an opportunity to clearly express your opposition to Gordo's carbon tax, which would be admirable. But have you simultaneously endorse HER alternate proposal, which might well be worse!