Whmankeworldofwords's Blog

Politics in British Columbia seldom are dull.  Today we witnessed the premier of the province announcing that he is stepping down.  Reactions around the province have been predictable.  In many quarters of the province his announcement was cheered.  Others, no doubt, were not pleased.  I believe it was cheered by most in his  party and among his own members in the House who saw the man’s lack of current popularity as a threat to their own political survival.  There is no doubt that he had made significant mistakes.  The fact is, however, that each member of his team is responsible for those mistakes.

If the members of his team granted the kind of power to their leader that prevented them from disagreeing with him on matters of policy and direction then these same members abdicated their responsibility to represent the people who elected them, and they shoulder the blame indirectly for what went wrong.  If they had been fully consulted and had given their input and support the the policies and directions the government took, they are obviously directly responsible for the government’s blunders.  As the leader of this government he holds the can either way, but that does not absolve the other member of his team from shouldering a share of the blame. 

We may say that Mr. Campbell chose to run as leader and so deserved the outcome.  In my view that is a shallow sentiment.  There is a human toll that this kind of event takes in the life of a man that we all too often disregard.  The man gave many years to public service.  His governments with his leadership had made positive contributions to the province, we must admit, but he will be remembered for what went wrong, for stepping down.  I’m sure he will not sleep well tonight and in many of the nights to come.