September 11, 2005

Throne Speeches

On Monday, September 12th, 128 days since the May election, the BC Legislature will sit. It will be an exciting time for those new to the Legislature and a relief for political pundits, who have been stretched for material during four months of a near comatose state for the government. Unlike the 2001 "90 days of action", the 2005 Campbell Liberal victory was followed by a very long vacation.

The first day of a new legislative session starts with the Lieutenant Governor reading the Speech from the Throne, written by staff in the Premier's Office. It is usually quickly forgotten, although there are times when it makes commitments. The last speech, in February 2005, introduced the government's election theme of "Five Goals for a Golden Decade". After recognizing prominent British Columbians who have since died, the Lieutenant Governor is likely to read a speech that is very similar to what she read in February. One important difference might reflect what the government plans do to as a consequence of the narrow defeat of "BC STV". Expectations will be high that the Premier will finally show his hand and say what he will do.

Wednesday's mini-budget is likely to be far more interesting than the Throne Speech. For those interested in reading and comparing past Throne Speeches, the following links provide easy access.

February 8, 2005 http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/37th6th/4-8-37-6.htm
February 10, 2004 http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/37th5th/4-8-37-5.htm
February 11, 2003 http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/37th4th/4-8-37-4.htm
February 12, 2002 http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/37th3rd/4-8-37-3.htm
July 24, 2001 http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/37th2nd/4-8-37-2.htm
June 19, 2001 http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/37th1st/4-8-37-1.htm
March 14, 2001 http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/hansard/36th5th/h10314p.HTM
March 15, 2000 http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/2000/throne2000.htm

An interesting exercise for students of public policy is to read the aforementioned speeches as well as the subsequent legislative agendas in order to determine whether there is any relation between the grand rhetoric of the Throne Speeches and what subsequently happens.