Pity the deniers of climate change for they have no political home. Neither do supporters of smaller government and less regulation. Gordon Campbell has abandoned his fold and they have nowhere to turn.

Bill Tieleman wrote that as Mayor, Gordon Campbell "... hiked Vancouver's budget 53 per cent between 1986 and 1993, from $324.5 million to $498 million." Tieleman concluded: "Just remember that when it comes to the role of government, instead of a moral compass, Campbell merely possesses a political weathervane, and the wind is blowing again."

The February 12th Throne Speech promised the following new entities:

1. LiveSmart BC
2. Green Building Code
3. Citizens' Conservation Council
4. Youth Climate Leadership Alliance
5. Youth LiveSmart
6. Trees for Tomorrow
7. Forests for Tomorrow
8. "Brownfields to Greenfields"
9. BC Bioenergy Strategy
10. Innovative Clean Energy Fund
11. Pacific Carbon Trust
12. Community Safety Strategy
13. "211" service
14. Centre for Autism Education and Research
15. Working Roundtable on Forestry
16. Health Profession Review Board
17. BC Patient Safety Council
18. Patient Care Quality Review Boards
19. Centre for Brain Health

These agencies will require objectives, performance measurements, budgets, staff and annual reports. That should keep a legion of public employees busy for much longer than the 15 months between now and the next election. For a full list of the 112 Throne Speech promises, click here.

The February 19th Budget took the rhetoric up a notch when it put in place the framework for a carbon tax. Much has been written about Campbell's new carbon tax, but the most important point is that it is only the framework. Like the temporary income tax, introduced in 1917 to fund the war, the carbon tax will be with us for the rest of our lives. It may eventually grow to exceed the income tax as a source of revenue. Who would have thought that the tax and service cutting Premier of 2001 would become a proponent of big government, big regulation and big tax! Where do Conservatives and classical liberals have to turn?

After his defeat in 1996, Campbell positioned himself to eliminate the BC Reform Party. He moved to the right with attacks on the Nisga'a Treaty and appeals for smaller less intrusive government. After nearly wiping out the NDP, he set about cutting government by 30% regardless of the importance of any program, and never releasing the behind-the-scenes reports that supposedly supported his "core review". Many of the problems that haunt the second term of the Campbell government originate in foolish excesses of an almost one party state from 2001-2005; the BC Rail Corruption Trial, horror stories in the protection of children, increased homelessness and a BC Progress Board that reminds the government of its failure to deal with child poverty are but a few examples from that legacy. Nevertheless, he continues to enjoy at least a 10 point lead in the polls. Many of Campbell's supporters were attracted by the harsh approach and are now shocked by his reconciliation with First Nations and his Green agenda. What are they going to do, support the NDP?

Campbell has outmaneuvered the political right and left them homeless. They can put up the cash to keep him in power and then shut-up as well disciplined disciples. The BC Liberals raise less money from individual donors than the NDP, but business and large corporate donations put the Campbell Liberals way ahead. In 2006 the BC Liberals raised over $5.2 million, only 27% from individual donors (up from 20% in the 2005 election year); the NDP raised $2.6 million, 95% from individuals (up from 70% in 2005). It is a safe bet that Campbell's corporate backers will not abandon him in the 2009 election even though their ox is being gored!