Login / RegisterNanaimo MLA Leonard Krog considers making bid for B.C. NDP leadership
Leonard Krog, a Vancouver Island MLA and dissident member of the B.C. New Democrat caucus, has indicated he hasn't ruled out a run for the leadership of the provincial party.
“Certainly as someone who’s run before I am considering it, but it’s not a decision I’m going to make easily or rush into,” Krog told the Straight today (December 13) by phone from Nanaimo. “These are still fairly early days after [Carole James’] resignation as leader.”
Krog, NDP MLA for Nanaimo, made an unsuccessful bid for the provincial party leadership in 2003, losing to James.
He said the next B.C. NDP leadership race will be important for the party, whether or not he runs.
“It’s important to renew the party and I think it’s important that we start to do things in a much more democratic way,” said Krog, Opposition critic for the attorney general. “I think this is a real opportunity for us, and I’m hopeful that a number of people will step forward, whether I’m amongst them or not.”
“I think there’s an opportunity for many members of caucus obviously,” he added. “We have a very good team, and by that I mean the bench strength.”
Krog acknowledged he might not be seen as suitable candidate for party leader because he is among the so-called Baker’s Dozen, a group of 13 rebel NDP MLAs opposed to James’ leadership.
“I would hope people wouldn’t see it that way,” he said. “Certainly that’s not the way I feel about it. This wasn’t some self-serving exercise for me whatsoever.”
Krog added: “It was about the importance of us winning the next election and I think that was made fairly clear by all of us. It was important to do so. The confidence was gone.”
Asked to comment on James’ decision to step down, announced last week, Krog said: “My only comment on Carole’s resignation is she did the right thing for the party by resigning, and she’s to be commended for that.”
He also emphasized his belief the NDP could beat the Liberals in the next election and form government.
“I believed we could win the 2005 [election], I believed we could win the 2009 [election], and I certainly believe we can win the election in 2013.”
He said the NDP can offer voters “integrity” and “a willingness to reform the democratic process in the province".
If it was only about winning the next election, Carole James remaining term as Leader notwithstanding then you must be really pleased at the drop of the 22% split between us and the BC Liberals. Anyone who makes their decisions based only upon polls is a fool. Leonard, Carole James beat you fair and square and you have been unhappy ever since. Of course that gives you the right to join in with Minority Mob Rule and overthrow the democracy in our party. You will only act as a divider not a healer - give it up. You as Leader is the last thing this party needs!
*projectile vomiting ensues*
I'm almost afraid to open door #3...
If you were elected premier what would you do to clean up the stinking shit hole that is the Attorney General's office?
Christy Clark is the only one calling for a snap election - she can't withstand any distance.
I agree to this extent - there is a rationale for say Jenny Kwan of the dissidents to run - but not Krog - it looks like he was lurking for Leonard and not thinking of the party. So I agree with you there.
I still want to know how he would fix up the AG's office---
She had the job and the mandate. That mandate was overthrown on its way under the bus tires going over the cliff. Why should anyone have to re-run for the job they hold when there is another year left in the Mandate. Who is to say the new mandate would be any better when precedent has now been set that it is OK to ignore that mandate rendering it useless? Give your head a shake! - Why would anyone want to risk that? Gee the bonus is it comes with public humilation! Sign me up! NOT!
Had she stayed on - she would have given the BC Liberals a distraction and Christy Clark - a platform. Would you honestly want Christy Clark to have a platform to hurt your favourite Carole James.
This wasn't about hurting Carole James boyo - it was about a necessary strategic move to give the NDP shot rock--------------
now - Uncle Buck Robbins will work some process of elimination magic to further clear the water -----,
But imagine - just imagine a leadership convention a year from now - Carole comes back and wins - again. Just as the public said No, No and No to Campbell after the HST - they would say Yes, Yes, Yes to Carole James as someone who put her party first - always -rather than Campbell who put himself and his friends first.
SND - I have shaken my head - and all I feel are the cascading locks of Fabio like hair around my face --- other than that - what say you?
If Carole won the Leadership for a second time, the dissenters would just gointo hyper drive to oust her. Why would any intelligent thinking person want to subject themselves to that? Carole was there for all of the right reasons. It is a sad state of affairs when as a culture we continually see this trait as a weakness that needs to removed and replaced by someone self serving and therefore "strong". We live on the downslide of our cultures place in history.