Joseph Planta's Commentary - thecommentary.ca

Wednesday, 22 September 2004

Christy Clark's goodbye . . . for now

By Joseph Planta

VANCOUVER - Christy Clark's resignation as Deputy Premier and Minister for Children and Families is just as surprising, as it is unexpected. Gossip around the province's capital had it that Clark, who's a dyed-in-the-red small-l and big-L Liberal, was uneasy with the right-wing tendencies of her leader Gordon Campbell and some of the members of her caucus. In addition, with a young son, who was born just after the BC Liberals took office, it seemed that the mother Clark would eschew political life for family life. When Paul Martin became leader of the Liberal Party and the federal election was in its planning stages, there was speculation cross-country that she would run as a federal Liberal, seeing that her father once did and that her husband, Mark Marrisen was the campaign chair in British Columbia. Clark did not of course run, as she was put in the embattled Children and Families ministry to straighten out the department after a scandal that saw the ouster of her predecessor and his deputy minister.

In all her years in provincial politics, about eight years, Christy Clark was nothing short of a presence. At once tough and determined she was an example for young people, but also photogenic and with a genial personality that made her perhaps this government's best communicator. She knew her briefs well and was always counted as a loyal soldier within her party. She defended her government's policy even at times when it seemed contrary to her own stated ideology. When Gordon Campbell got into his trouble with drunk driving in Maui, it was thought that she was a strong contender to take over should the Premier resign. And if the time came, Clark was seen as a strong contender to succeed Gordon Campbell.

As has been written in other places, it's obvious that Gordon Campbell is determined to stay through the 2010 Olympics. With that, Clark saw that it probably was best that she step away from politics and spend more time with her young son and husband. By the time of the Olympiad of course, Clark could conceivably return to political life; even before, as she hasn't ruled out federal politics either. One suspects we haven't heard the last from Christy Clark, who could wind up in the media or in some other high profile job for which she'd be duly suited, thanks to her great savvy.

The departure of Christy Clark is a loss for Gordon Campbell and the BC Liberal government. They have lost a strong communicator and a cabinet minister who was strong in defending her government's policies, and who was known as a tenacious debater in the House. Despite any political ideology that one may have, one can't deny that Clark was also a great public servant who did nothing less than serve. No one at first glance looks apt enough to succeed her and fulfill the role that Clark has filled ably not only in government and in opposition. British Columbians are the poorer, not to mention the public face of the Campbell regime. Where Campbell himself is less desirable to female voters, as a constituency, Clark was the perfect antidote.

In passing, premiers over the last 20 years have had by their side, or had to contend with, female colleagues who were at once powerful as they were tenacious. The premiers Bennett (both actually) and Vander Zalm had Grace McCarthy; while Clark and Dosanjh had Joy MacPhail. Obviously, Gordon Campbell had Christy Clark. It's ironic, isn't it, that all three were known to be redheads.

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