A couple days into 2011 and I am already not looking forward to British Columbia's upcoming political show and ongoing failure of our political system. 2010 was not too kind to our provincial politicians especially party leaders. We got to see a lot of things shake up Victoria's legislature. On November 4th, We got to see Premier Gordon Campbell resign over the wonderful HST. It is "loved" so much by some resident, actually a lot of residents, our ex-premier Bill Vander Zalm rallied the people to see if it can be removed. His diligence paid off and enough signatures were collected to put the HST recall on our next ballot. On Monday, September 13, 2010, Gordon Campbell announced it would be put to a vote on September 24, 2011. It's gonna cost $30 million for the referendum, sorry schools and education.
On top of the HST recall, the anti-HST organizers want remove the Liberal provincial politicians via recalls who supported the HST. After 2 attempts due to controversy, Elections BC approved the recall against Liberal MLA Ida Chong. The petition must be returned by Feburary 4, 2011, and then Elections BC has 6 weeks to verify the signatures. If they are successful with the recall petition, a by-election must be called within 90 days. Also, Ida Chong is the first of many targeted for recalls. More or less she is the test case so I can only assume a concerted effort on the anti-HST organizers part to keep the recall ball rolling. Definitely not a good year to be a provincial Liberal.
Now the opposition has not been left out of this year's circus of provincial politics. The NDP have had Carol James in charge of the party. We got to see Carol James kick out a party member, Bob Simpson, for not being a team player. On the welcometowilliamslake.ca site, Bob Simpson criticized her for not saying enough at a Union of British Columbia Municipality's meeting.
The Leader of the Opposition likewise had little concrete to offer the delegates other than a commitment to be more consultative than the current government and a promise to explore the possibility of revenue sharing with local governments. This is a timely concept which has the potential to address the resource needs of local governments, but the lack of specifics was a disappointment to delegates. - Source
Based on what he said, I personally do not see it as grounds for removing him from the party. And instead of confirming his statement and spinning it into a NDP PR event on the specifics and how the NDP are better, Carol James kicked him out. I do not see how a couple sentences can deem you as not being a team player. It is known as speaking up to the coach and saying we need more details on the next play. Sometimes it needs to be done publicly to get the point across. Welcome to politics and public opinion Carol James. Going by the "you're off the team" mantra for making a statement is not the sign of a true leader. It shows to me his statement must have been correct and with the choice of either play off the statement and make it better in your favor or kick out the member, well, we know what choice was made. *facepalm*
Leadership can be described in different ways:
"The process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task".
"Leadership is ultimately about creating a way for people to contribute to making something extraordinary happen."
"Effective leadership is the ability to successfully integrate and maximize available resources within the internal and external environment for the attainment of organizational or societal goals." - Source
None of those definitions were displayed by James when she kicked out one of her members, a supporter, a teammate. So on December 6th, what goes around, comes around and Carol James announced her resignation after 13 of her 34 MLA caucus mutinied against her. A mutiny? Are we pirates? Y'arr, true it be.
They were referred to as the baker’s dozen of rebel NDP MLAs. They were too large a group for James to continue dismissing from caucus like Bob Simpson, without destroying the NDP’s chances in the next election. Carol James led and lost the last 2 but somehow remained as leader. Maybe 3rd time was the possible charm?
With Carol James stepping down, that makes 2 of our province's political parties currently LEADERLESS. No leader is not good. Not good at all when a leadership position is warranted.
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