Thursday, May 17, 2001
The dawning of the age of Campbell - THE COMMENTARY
By Joseph Planta
VANCOUVER -- A new era in British Columbia has dawned and all the spoils rightfully go to the winner -- Gordon Campbell. The election campaign that really wasn’t -- rather it was Mr. Campbell’s coronation tour -- has ended and the sobering reality of a new government came true. The NDP deserved to be thrown out, and the results of Wednesday night’s poll reflected the malcontent, anger and dissatisfaction of British Columbians with the NDP.
Gordon Campbell faces many challenges. His biggest will be that of taking charge of his caucus -- seventy-six members -- and making sure they’ll all be kept happy. His record hasn’t been so fair, as one is directed to Jeremy Dalton and Bonnie McKinnon of his previous group. They say idle hands do the devil’s work and after the largesse of cabinet posts have been doled, lies many more MLA’s who haven’t a hell of a lot to do.
The NDP’s collapse wasn’t far fetched, but when it hit it really spelled out the anger BCers felt towards the New Democratic government. As a party, they are a spent force. With only three MLA’s there isn’t much of a great talent pool to pick from.
Many giants of the political scene fell tonight. Gordon Wilson, lost his Powell River-Sunshine Coast seat, rendering our Legislature void of one of the finest minds we’ve seen in recent years. For all his faults, and he’s got numerous, Gordon Wilson did build the Liberals and when all is said, built them to where they are today. Corky Evans lost his Nelson-Creston seat, leaving us without one of the most passionate and more outspoken members we’ve seen in a long while.
Ujjal Dosanjh’s loss in Vancouver-Kensington represents most vividly the search for the NDP’s place in our political spectrum. It reflects quite clearly the paradox facing the left at this juncture of history. This loss is worse than that Bob Skelly suffered in the ‘80s and when all is said and done, isn’t it strange that the BC public elected Glen Clark, but decided to throw Ujjal Dosanjh out, who by most objective standards could be the more honourable individual.
They say that politics abhors a vacuum and I think the NDP must be resolved in remaining a force if that’s what they want. If the NDP putters and fails completely, it is up to a new party for BCers to invest in to provide the Liberals a true and effective opposition.
I have great hope for Gordon Campbell and his new government. He did not steal this election, nor did he buy it. The BC Liberals earned it. They should be afforded the good wishes they deserve. The people did speak and there’s no alternative but for British Columbians to accept it.
In this election, while I’ve editorially supported the BC Liberals and Mr. Campbell forming government, I voted for the NDP candidate in my riding. I voted for Ujjal Dosanjh yesterday, and while I am disappointed, the will of the others in my constituency must be honoured.
There are justified fears that with this huge win, there may be no opposition. Once again, it is up to the media to assume that role. Senator Pat Carney, on the BCTV telecast, said she sees Vaughn Palmer, Keith Baldrey and Rafe Mair assuming that role. Truth is, I think they have already.
At the end of the day, no matter how you spin it -- the Greens split the NDP’s vote or not enough people showed up at the polls -- Gordon Campbell has made history. I don’t think W.A.C. Bennett had a mandate so large. No matter your political persuasion, it’s a new day and for the time being, for my part, I’m giving Mr. Campbell and his Liberals the benefit of the doubt. I really don’t see why we should lament the NDP. They’ve made their bed, and now they shall lie in it. Into the foreseeable future, we have the Liberals to deal with and that’s where we should focus.
The work of the citizen begins anew after any election. British Columbian politics has begun a new chapter and perhaps some positive change will come about. I’m not the only one who hopes.
- 30 -
Questions and comments may be sent to: editor@thecommentary.ca
An archive of Joseph Planta's previous columns can be found by clicking HERE .