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March 9, 2004

Explosive news from the ever devolving electoral fortunes of the BC Liberals, as backbench MLA Elayne Brenzinger has quit caucus, heavily criticizing Gordon Campbell's leadership on the way out.  In fact, there can be no mistake about the sentiments behind her decision:

"Premier Gordon Campbell has shown a complete and utter disregard for the opinions of caucus and its elected members, instead pressing ahead with his own secretive mandate.  As a result, community dreams and goals are being crushed under this administration."

Campbell's characterization of their rocky relationship is just classic:

 "In caucus, occasionally, there are swear words," Campbell said, admitting he used a few on Brenzinger. "We've had discussions in caucus meetings that are certainly heated."

This comes in addition to news that well-liked and respected Cabinet Minister Dr. Gulzar Cheema has decided to run for a federal Liberal nomination.

To the now independent members formerly of Campbell's government, one statement of advice: 3 MLAs united = Official Opposition.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Speaking of federal Liberal nominations, former Premier of New Brunswick Frank McKenna has decided to put his name in the ring in his home province, as long as he can find an available riding that is close to home.  This is in addition to the above mentioned declaration by Dr. Cheema to campaign for the nomination in the riding of Fleetwood-Port Kells, a decision which suddenly "prompted" two other  candidates to mysteriously drop out of the race.

Based on Paul Martin's pledge to fix the democratic deficit, and his pledges (however hollow and selective) to stay out of local nomination races, it will be interesting to see how he handles this situation.  McKenna has always been #1 on Martin's dream candidate list, and touted as a possible friendly successor to the Prime Minister's Office.

McKenna has stated that he will only run if he gets the riding that he wants.  It will be very telling to see how McKenna's path to candidacy upholds Martin's standards for a due, democratic process.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Contentious nomination races haven't been restricted to the Liberals, as Conservative nomination races have become just as sore a point for the newly merged party.

Sitting MPs losing battles to political neophytes, extremist elements making their presence felt, accusations of cheating and manipulation against the party, and candidates aligned with various leadership camps all make these battles just as nasty.

The Conservatives, unlike the Liberals, would have been wise to have become involved when necessary and prevented some of the current hostility that now exists from ever reaching the public.  The party apparatus still has the ability to make this merger smoother by creating a united front, or at least fostering the perception of one.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

A May election is now off the radar for the Martin Liberals.  If the bloodletting continues to dominate internal interactions within the party, Martin might have no choice but to wait until the Fall in order to calm his troops down.

With the latest Quebec poling numbers, this new time frame is something that must be considered for the Liberals to have any hope of maintaining a majority government (a scenario that moving forward seems less and less likely).

Comments? jonathan@tdhstrategies.com