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| John Cummins |
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| Stockwell Day |
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| Chuck Strahl |
The BC Conservatives are seeking a new leader and any one of those three would give it instant credibility - and appeal to those who don't want to salute Premier-Designate Christy Clark and her increasingly federally Liberalized BC Liberal Party.
Having any of the three running in the next provincial election would also be a significant achievement - and scare the devil out of the BC Liberals, who of course fear any even slight split in their federal Conservative/federal Liberal coalition that could help the BC NDP win, as similar right-wing splits did in 1972, 1991 and 1996.
But the timing may be coincidental and not the jolt in the arm the provincial Tories hope for - federal election fever has a way of sorting out those running again from those who aren't.
Nonetheless, it can't be making Clark and her top advisors too comfortable - and if the BC Conservatives were lucky enough to get all three senior federal cousins to join up, it would be a stunning development in BC politics.
They would be teaming up with old MP colleagues from the Reform Party and Canadian Alliance however, including BC Conservative supporters Randy White, Darryl Stinson, Jim Hart, Andy Burton and Reed Elley.
There's also former BC Premier Rita Johnston and former Newfoundland Premier Brian Peckford on board at the BC Conservatives as advisors.
Here is Prime Minister Stephen Harper's statement today:
"STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER
Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement regarding Chuck Strahl, Stockwell Day and John Cummins not seeking re-election:
“I would like to thank Ministers Chuck Strahl and Stockwell Day, as well as Member of Parliament, John Cummins for their extraordinary dedication to public service throughout the years. I look forward to working with them in the best interest of Canada until the end of their mandate.
"They have served Canadians and their constituents with distinction.
“Stockwell has an outstanding record of achievement throughout his time in Parliament. Since his debut in public service in 1986, as a Member in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Stockwell’s leadership has inspired all of us.
From his role as Leader of the Official Opposition in 2000, to his success in several ministerial positions, Stockwell is respected and admired by all of his colleagues, his constituents and Canadians across the country.
“Since first elected to Parliament in 1993, Chuck has tackled each of his roles with passion and enthusiasm, and with tremendous achievement. Throughout his various ministerial positions, Chuck has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of Canadians.
“John has been a dedicated member of Parliament since 1993. Throughout this time, he has made an important contribution to Parliament, to our party and, in the last five years, our Government. He has earned enormous respect for his work on behalf of his constituents and all Canadians.
“I am both honoured and grateful to have worked with Stockwell, Chuck and John.
“Laureen joins me in expressing our gratitude, and wishing them and their families the very best in their future endeavours.”
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20 comments:
A party lead by Chuck Strahl would destroy the BC Liberals and harm the NDP in the interior. He is articulate, displays common sense, and doesn't go off message like Day and Cummins. Plus, as a former deputy speaker, he appears to understand the significance and supremacy of parliament, not the premier's office. Not sure about his health though.
Very interesting. Exclude Day and it could get real.
Cummins would probably be most likely to step forward. He's been vocal against the provincial government
I have the feeling both Day and Strahl are done with politics. Day's done everything and can't see him jumping back into provincial politics. Although who knows.
Strahl health concern's probably will lead him to retire and spend time with his family and grand children.
I would like to thank Stockwell Day for introducing the Hell's Angels to the Okanagan when he was Safety minister... the Valley hasn't been the same since.
There is no better time for, the M.P's to jump the Conservative ship, than right now. The taint of scandal, is going to touch the Conservatives, in a demeaning way. Hands in the cookie jar of money, are going to be slapped.
I am no Harper fan. I don't like his plans he delivered for, global governance for Canada. Harper has destroyed democracy in our country. Canadians are to refer the government as, the Harper Government. Harper stated, I make the rules around here. Harper is a dictator, arrogant and will put this country into dire straights.
Harper's loss of two of his best ministers, says it all.
"Respected and admired" ... holy cats, not if this is the same Stockwell Day who thousands of Canadians begged (by petition) to change his name to Doris?
Who believes that people walked with the dinosaurs only 6,000 years ago?
If it's THAT Stockwell Day, then I wish him a happy retirement with ValOrie and their 14 grandkids. But it's been a long wait for this time to come.
Of the three Tory retirees - all of whom campaigned against federal pensions when they were initially running as Reformers - but now will have handsome pensions, I think Cummins is the most likely leadership candidate.
He has spoken at several BC Conservative party organizing meetings and spoken on provincial issues.
Strahl is battling cancer and Day is battling terminal stupidity.
"Harper's loss of two of his best ministers, says it all."
The fact that "Doris" is included in this group ("best ministers") is what says it all. Maybe Doris is planning of starting a dinosaur petting zoo.
Let's not forget that Prentice, one of the few PsuedoCons who might actually have substance between his ears jumped ship weeks ago. Of course he had the Carole Taylor style soft landing in the corporate (real government) world pre-arranged, so fortunately for him will not be dependent on the public pension so generously offered retired politicos, but increasingly under attack when expected by retiring public "workers."
Geez - Crusty must be prairie dogging with that slate ready to eat up her conservative wing. The implosion continues.....
You classless leftists sure fabricate a fair amount of BS, or maybe it is just wishful thinking. Sad that the only hope for the NDP to ever get elected depends entirely on split from those who see through the lack of NDP policy or platform.
1055 Anon let's not forget the Liberals only exists because the Conservatives in the province and other right wingers are part of their group. Same thing for when the Socreds were in power
It always amazes me, that 10:55 and other righties are convinced that they have the answers. They got what they wanted, a corrupt government under gordo campbell, and now Crusty Clark. Enough of the BS, time for a big change. Enough of the coruption involving all the BC lieberals and friends.
10 years of abuse is enough. Go Dix, go Horgan! Then we will call for an investigation of the sale of BC Rail. Gordo, Crusty will be going to jail.
Kam Lee
Kam Lee - well said.
ha, ha, ha, ha.....I love Canadian politics! Never a dull moment. Lots of CYAs. Love to be a fly on a few walls this weekend....
Today's Globe saysJohn Cummings announced that he is prepared to advise the BC Conservatives, not sure if he wants to run for leader.Should make the right wingers in the so called BC Liberals want to decide if they are staying with "Perky" Clark or head a bit farther to the right
Chuck has health problems which would most likely mean he would NOT seek the leadership of the BC Tories.
Stockwell is a possibility, but I also doubt that.
Cummins is more likely.
Kam as per usual is way off base.
Wonder what his thoughts are on the NDP in terms of corruption:
- The COmmonwealth Holding Society whic took out Harcourt,
- Fastrcats and Bingogate which took out Glen Clark.
They are all corrupt and in the pockets of the Corporate Pigs, nuff said.
Just as the NDP MPs are in the pockets of the Canadian Labour Congress and CUPE? Nuff said there too, eh?
Harper has destroyed democracy in our country. Canadians are to refer the government as, the Harper Government. Harper stated, I make the rules around here. Harper is a dictator, arrogant and will put this country into dire straights.
Trudeau did the same thing when he was Prime Minister, and who could forget Dave Barrett (NDP Premier) also another dictator.
The only thing the Liberals have established ,they are all liars. Ten years of it. It's a way of life with them. Fifteen of these liars are back in Cabinet. Three new ones have to be trained.
The fact that this is the most corrupt government BC has ever had
should help BC voters when they go to the polls.
"The only thing the Liberals have established ,they are all liars. Ten years of it. It's a way of life with them. Fifteen of these liars are back in Cabinet. Three new ones have to be trained.
The fact that this is the most corrupt government BC has ever had
should help BC voters when they go to the polls."
Interesting. Care to explain how Clark lied about the actual cost of the FastCats, and the numbers present in his budget?
The NDP have lied in the past too, and will do so again.
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