While Premier John Horgan says his government needs to “renew” and “refresh” itself, the same can be said of the BC Liberals sitting in opposition.
It can be argued it’s the Liberals who are most urgently in need of a shake-up that injects new life into the party. And if that isn’t done before the next election, the party will likely find itself stuck in opposition for another long four years.
Winning the most seats in 2017 election yet being unable to form a lasting government was a wrenching experience for the BC Liberals
The shift out of power was a psychological blow for many and it has taken time for many of them to recover.
The only real way for the party to renew itself and offer a fresh vision to voters is to inject itself with new blood.
And that means veteran MLAs may be pressured by some in the party to consider stepping aside to allow a younger and more diverse group of candidates to become the new face of the party going forward.
So far, four incumbent BC Liberal MLAs have said they won’t seek re-election. They are: Linda Reid (Richmond South Centre), Steve Thomson (Kelowna-Mission), Linda Larson (Boundary-Similkameen) and Ralph Sultan (West Vancouver-Capilano).
The Kelowna and West Vancouver seats are considered virtual locks for the BC Liberals to hold in the next election, while the party has to be considered a strong favourite to win the other two seats as well.
So it is a safe bet that four new faces will be part of the next BC Liberal caucus after the election. But many in the party will tell you that is not enough.
The party’s internal spotlight continues to shine on other long-term MLAs who have accumulated enough political baggage over the years to wear the party and other candidates down come the next campaign.
So there is speculation that 23-year veteran Rich Coleman (Langley East) will be pressured to give up his safe seat and make way for someone new. His record in government, particularly in regards to the gambling file, makes him an easy target for the NDP.
It is also unclear whether fellow veterans Shirley Bond (Prince George-Valemount), Mike de Jong (Abbotsord West) and Mary Polak (Langley) will run again, although I would argue both have emerged as solid critics after years as cabinet ministers.
But Bond and de Jong aside, the BC Liberal caucus hasn’t really found its sea legs in opposition. With the exception of rookie MLAs Peter Milobar and Jas Johal, and veterans such as John Rustad and Jane Thornthwaite, no one has really shone.
The party is in urgent need of new talent. Horgan thinks his side needs to press the restart button, but it would seem BC Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson’s party may require more of a general makeover.
Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global BC.
