FACE TO FACE: Can Christy Clark and the BC Liberals still win the May election?
It's over. Throw in the towel, raise the white flag - Christy Clark and the BC Liberals are done like dinner.
I predict that Ms. Clark will go down as one of the worst premiers in our province's history. And with the lot we've had, that's saying something.
The mistruths, the politicking, the arrogance and the wasting of taxpayers' money started early in her tenure. These are things people won't forget as they enter their polling stations in May.
Shortly after being elected, our "honourable" premier flip-flopped on her promise to call an early election. She rewarded members of her leadership campaign with cushy, high-paying jobs. (What does Pamela Martin do, exactly?)
Her government lost the HST referendum and failed to efficiently put a plan in place to replace it. She avoided the legislature like it was filled with the plague: In the last calendar year, there were less than 20 sitting days so that Clark could be a full-time campaigner.
And then, of course, there was Ethnic-gate and the most recent revelation about staff in her office putting together a swing-riding strategy for the BC Liberals.
My colleague opposite must believe in miracles if he thinks voters are going to give Clark another mandate after all that.
Couple her disgraceful record with the fact that governments in Canada usually only have a shelf-life of eight or nine years (see the Charest government in Quebec and the McGuinty government in Ontario), and you have to believe that Clark's days are numbered.
The latest polls reflect that: According to Ipsos Reid, the NDP are at 51% while the Liberals sit at 32%.
As a free-enterpriser, it's disappointing but it looks as if the BC Liberals will have to sit on the sidelines for the next four years. On a positive note, we've got quality NDP candidates in the Tri-Cities such as Mike Farnworth, Chris Wilson and Selina Robinson. Should they win, I'm sure they'll represent us admirably.
In the meantime, the free-enterprisers need to get their act together. We've got four years to get a competent leader in place who can unite the right. My suggestions, for what it's worth, are Stockwell Day or Sam Sullivan.
Au revoir, Premier Clark. It's been, ahem, interesting.
Andy Radia is a Coquitlam resident and political columnist who writes for Yahoo! Canada News and Vancouver View Magazine. He has been politically active in the Tri-Cities, having been involved with election campaigns at all three levels of government, including running for Coquitlam city council in 2005.
