May 28, 2009

No Longer StoneWally

According to the Vancouver Province:

Asked if he would run in a byelection in a safe Liberal seat if an MLA stepped down to accommodate him, Oppal replied: "Anything could happen."

With his history, you might have expected Oppal to say: "I can't comment, it's before the court", or he could have said the voters have spoken. How arrogant does Oppal have to be to presume that a government MLA would forgo rich salary and pension benefits so that voters could incur over $500,000 in by-election expenses so he could have a shot at being re-elected?

Oppal's defeat at the hands of an independent, the first such victory in 60 years, should send a strong message to the Campbell government. If Premier Campbell doesn't get it, you can be certain that his caucus does!

There is no glory in being a member of the backbench (I know from first-hand experience), and there isn't much more benefit from being in cabinet when the shots are called in the Premier's Office. The defeat of Oppal sends a message that sometimes even loyal soldiers get shot. There is nothing Campbell can do to "un-hire" one of his MLAs who is destined to earn a pension when the election comes on May 14, 2013.

Independent Vicki Huntington has shown that it is possible to beat the establishment; of course, the establishment will push back. As an Independent, Huntington will find she rarely has an opportunity to pose a question in question period, and that the "standing orders" offer few opportunities for any "member" to speak, let alone be heard. She is more likely than most MLAs to receive media attention, but even then she is but one of 85 voices. Nevertheless, having played "David" against Campbell's "Goliath", Huntington has made BC history. Could she have a bigger role yet to play as leader of the BC Conservatives?

Oppal took a big pay cut to become a cabinet minister. At age 68 many would retire, but don't be surprised if StoneWally's friends look out for him with a rich appointment. Look forward to former House Leader Mike de Jong becoming Attorney General and replacing Wally Oppal in answering questions regarding the BC Rail scandal by saying: "It's before the courts".

The government caucus is scheduled to be sworn in on June 8th; a new cabinet could be sworn in a day or two before or after that ceremony. Oppal's departure sets the dominos in motion. Watch for those who have served in Campbell's caucus for years to swallow their disappointment as new comers like Margaret MacDiarmid and Kash Heed jump to the front of the line.