Login / RegisterB.C. Liberals try bait and switch to deflect attention from MLAs who won't run in 2013
Nowadays, every time a B.C. Liberal says that he or she won't seek reelection, the party produces a statement about someone else who isn't fleeing the caucus.
This was apparent earlier this summer when Vancouver-Langara MLA Moira Stilwell "announced" that she's running in 2013.
Whoop-de-do!
Stilwell was first elected in 2009, so her declaration came just three years after she became an MLA. You would think she would run again—unless, of course, she had a serious health problem or she despised her leader.
This news flash came shortly after another member of the class of 2009, Kash Heed, along with veterans Murray Coell and Dave Hayer declared they were pulling the plug on the provincial Liberals.
This week, Premier Christy Clark let the media know that Speaker Bill Barisoff won't be running again.
That prompted the B.C. Liberals to "announce" that three backbenchers—Pat Pimm (class of 2009), John Rustad (class of 2005), and Bill Bennett (class of 2001)—will be seeking reelection in 2013.
Whoop-de-do!
It's time for a prediction. If Finance Minister Kevin Falcon says that he's sitting out the 2013 election, you can bet that this will be followed by a B.C. Liberal announcement that Stephanie Cadieux and Naomi Yamamoto are going to stick around.
And if Education Minister George Abbott says bye-bye, we'll probably learn that John Slater will be back for another run for office.
And once again, voters will probably be saying to themselves, "Whoop-de-fucking-do!"
Follow Charlie Smith on Twitter at twitter.com/csmithstraight.
To be fair we, should not place the entire blame on Christy Clark, as this was Gordo's boondoggle from the beginning.
Martinis anyone?
How is it that Denesiuk decided to leave the BCSTA just as she was starting to make the BC Liberals uncomfortable - makes one wonder if there were whisperings.