George Abbott expected to leave politics
Posted August 30, 2012 8:40 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VICTORIA (NEWS1130) – Another members of Christy Clark’s Liberal government is expected to announce their intentions to leave politics.
There’s word Education Minister George Abbott won’t seek re-election. Children and Family Development Minister Mary McNeil and Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier John Les have already announced today they won’t run in the May election.
Just yesterday, Kevin Falcon stepped down from cabinet and said he won’t be running in the spring.
Abbott and McNeil have been signalling for months that they have been pondering their political futures, but the pending departure of Les comes as a surprise.
Political science professor Hamish Telford at the University of the Fraser Valley says there are two things going on, the first being a routine circulation of politicians in advance of an election.
“[Also], many Liberals, particularly the more senior Liberals, have seen the writing on the wall; they’ve concluded that the Liberals don’t stand a chance of winning the next election and that makes the decision to get out of the political game easier,” he explains.
Telford points out this is also a chance for people to get into an organization that’s in a bit of state of disarray. “Now that Kevin Falcon has stepped out, that perhaps gives a little bit more opportunity for someone who has aspirations to lead the party to perhaps get into the game.”
As far as recruiting so-called star candidates, Telford says it won’t be easy for the Liberals.
“To join an organization which is almost doomed to lose… to really sit on the opposition benches could be quite a let-down,” he tells us.
Another political scientist, Kelly Blidook of Memorial University wouldn’t be surprised if even more MLAs drop out over the next few weeks.
“You have until May, right? So, most people should declare their intentions to not run here in the fall. You don’t really want to be waiting until the spring to do that… So people should be making up their minds but I wouldn’t be surprised if you see some more resignations going into September and October at least.”
Blidook says this yet another sign of a government in trouble. “They don’t want to campaign in a losing election. They don’t want to be called upon to pledge support for a weak leader. It might even be a way for them to clear out for a little bit and come back later and lead the party in the future.”
Abbott is a four-term Liberal who ran for the party leadership last year, placing third behind Clark and Falcon.
A press conference is set for 11 a.m. in Victoria. News1130 will bring you the latest.
This morning, the BC Liberal Party has confirmed 11 MLAs will be running in May 2013.
Margaret MacDiarmid in Vancouver-Fairview
Bill Bennett in Kootenay East
John Yap in Richmond-Steveston
Linda Reid in Richmond East
John Rustad in Nechako Lakes
Shirley Bond in Prince George-Valemount
Pat Bell in Prince George-Mackenzie
Norm Letnick in Kelowna-Lake Country
Steve Thomson in Kelowna-Mission
Ben Stewart in Westside-Kelowna
Eric Foster in Vernon-Monashee
Candidate selection meetings will happen during the first half of September.
