One leadership race down, one to go.
Christy Clark was chosen Liberal leader and premier-designate last Saturday night after a close third ballot result. Clark edged out Kevin Falcon with Mike deJong dropping off after the first ballot and George Abbott after the second.
In her victory speech, Clark pledged that it was time for change, time to start reaching out to the people, a time to start listening again to what British Columbians want and think. She pledged to work on behalf of families and put their values and needs first.
Following her speech, the Liberal caucus, in a strong showing of solidarity, joined her on stage at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Will Clark live up to her promises and lofty expectations? Well, first she has to get elected to a seat in the legislature, which should be in the next few weeks, as she will most likely run in a by-election in Vancouver and take the seat previously held by outgoing leader and premier Gordon Campbell.
Once that is done, she will have to reach out to her caucus, choose her cabinet and hopefully call a new session in the legislature so government debate can start again. Only time will tell whether Clark will be able to lead effectively and offer up change that so many British Columbians desperately want.
But this will take some time, and don't we owe it to her to give her that time to get things in order? If you ask the New Democrats, she doesn't deserve that time.
Leadership candidates Mike Farnworth and Adrian Dix, both interviewed by Global TV during Saturday's leadership coverage, were all too quick to judge Clark - even before she was announced the victor. And interim party leader Dawn Black was even quicker in calling on Clark to act mere minutes after she won. We understand that it is the NDP's role as official opposition to be critical and provide the other perspective and voice, but lest they forget, their own party is in turmoil, too. An internal coup led to the resignation of party leader Carole James and the call for a leadership race. The NDP will name their new leader on April 17.
The NDP are often too quick to challenge things and should be working on strengthening their own party and picking their new leader instead of jumping on someone who has been on the job for only a few days.
We're hoping, too, that once the dust has settled, once we have both leaders in place and we see a return to the legislature, there will be some honest and sound debate and the petty political games will come to an end. It's time to bring some civility back to B.C. politics. If you're looking for change, that would be a good place to start.
