By Trevor Fik (Staff Writer) – Email
An ex-CKNW radio host whose last political job saw her embroiled in the CN Rail scandal is the new Premier Designate of British Columbia. Apparently, in the topsy-turvy world of politics in British Columbia, anything is possible.
Christy Clark, who inherits the Liberal throne under much scrutiny and amid her fair share of controversy (house pets as Liberal party members anyone?), does so at a time when BC is in need of a strong leader like never before.
Hospital patients housed in donut shops instead of care beds, overcrowded classrooms packed to the brim with students, and a nagging new sales tax that has been anything but harmonious will continue to haunt the Liberal party no matter who is in power. The question that is on everyone’s mind is, does Christy Clark, who has not been actively involved in the political landscape since she vacated her seat as the Minister of Children and Family Development and Deputy Premier in 2004, still possess the political prowess necessary to tackle these issues?
Clark has a storied political career. After having served as the official opposition critic for environment, children and families from 1996 until 2001, she was appointed by Premier Gordon Campbell to the post of Minister of Education and Deputy Premier. Clark occupied these positions until 2004, at which time she was appointed as the Minister of Children and Family Development, a post she eventually vacated to campaign for mayor of Vancouver.
Clark takes the leadership role amongst a fractured collection of MLAs, not one of whom backed her in the leadership race. This could pose a pressing problem, as a divided party will become increasingly susceptible to opposition criticism.
In terms of whether Clark poses a more difficult challenge for the ailing New Democratic Party, however, the answer is undeniably yes. With a single digit approval rating going in to the leadership race, former Liberal leader Gordon Campbell would have been easy pickings for an NDP that was just beginning to sharpen its swords. With Campbell receiving a “don’t let the door hit you on the way out” exit, a fresh face may be enough for voters to not care who is in power, as long as it is not Gordon.
And while the NDP has not wavered in its ability to provide non-stop criticism of the Liberal government, it has done nothing to provide a viable alternative. Until such time that the NDP can put up a strong leader of its own, with a political platform and agenda that does not revolve around insults and bickering, Clark may be able to garner support for a planned 2013 election.
Clark’s tenure as host of the radio program The Christy Clark Show will also work in her favour as it has made her a prominent figure in BC. She has been respected for her honest and outspoken criticism of BC politics and in-depth dialogue with guests on her show. This will work to her advantage in the public eye, as the instant name brand recognition will inevitably draw supporters.
Columnist Bill Tielemen noted early on in Clark’s campaign for premier that maybe the radio host had spent too long away from politics to be the effective force necessary to lead British Columbia. To that I say, is that necessarily a bad thing? The past few years in BC politics have been marred by scandal after scandal, especially for the Liberal party. BC Rail was just the tip of the iceberg for the party that brought in the HST, fumbled around with the Olympic Village, and failed to effectively prosecute Basi and Virk.
Clark deserves a chance to show that she can be a strong candidate for a province desperately in need of competent leadership. After the requisite swearing in ceremony, Clark will have her work cut out for her uniting a divided party, and attempting to tackle the laundry list of issues currently facing BC.
