To the editor,
Re: Christy Clark to step down as B.C. Liberal leader, July 28.
Some have expressed surprise and shock at this announcement. But anyone watching this provincial scene for a few years knew that Clark was not cut out for opposition benches. She lost the government in the recent election and clung to power, unceremoniously, for way too long, demonstrating the nasty side of her personality.
It was clear that her time was up. No doubt Liberal insiders made this known to her if in fact she refused to see it herself.
Her legacy is mixed at best. While she was forceful and optimistic she often overplayed her hand. For example, her advancement of the LNG opportunity was naive and her administration fumbled the file badly to the point that of the great promise of prosperity for all, only one small project is underway and the highly touted Petronas project was just cancelled. Similarly, her anti-Canadian stance on oil pipelines and anti-American rhetoric on the soft wood lumber issue were counterproductive.
One area in which I was an especially harsh critic was in her administration’s claim of balanced budgets when in fact the net debt continued to rise. In 2011 when she took over, the net debt of the province was $36 billion. If one believed the government’s statements since that time, one would think the debt is still $36 billion. It is not. It is $42 billion. So six billion increase in six years.
As image and public relations goes, Clark succeeded – and that, it seems, counts for a lot in today’s celebrity-driven age. But on the ground on real issues, a positive record is indeed questionable.
Brian Peckford, Nanaimo
To the editor,
Re: Christy Clark to step down as B.C. Liberal leader, July 28.
I am not surprised that Christy Clark is leaving politics. Many of us recall her venture into radio, an outlet for her massive ego. Once back in politics, the 200-plus media outreach people often did her bidding.
I find it more than ironic that she stole a chapter out of Harper’s book. Both were widely disliked, personality-challenged, seldom in the legislature/house and definitely disliked the media. When sent packing by the electorate, both chose to take their ball and go home. Hardly surprising.
Grant Maxwell, Nanaimo