The people of Nanaimo have spoken, and the balance of power in the legislature remains the same. But British Columbians can count on uncertain times ahead.
After weeks of hope and anxiety for the parties, NDP candidate Sheila Malcolmson is making the switch from MP to MLA, maintaining her party’s number of seats in B.C. The New Democrats still have 41 seats and are maintained in power by the three Greens while the B.C. Liberals are at 42.
Premier John Horgan can continue his program, and perhaps with a renewed confidence, because his Green allies are in an uncomfortable position. Their support in Nanaimo fell from about 20 per cent in the last election to about seven per cent in the byelection. Add that to the failure of the proportional-representation referendum and Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver has to be fearful of a general election.
It’s in the Greens’ interest to continue voting with the NDP because at least they have some influence on policy through their agreement. If they are suddenly seized by a paroxysm of principle and bring down the government, they could lose everything in an election.
Some have suggested that Horgan would call an election to get a fresh mandate. But why give up power if you don’t have to, especially when you have waited so long to regain it?
It’s better to wait as long as possible and give voters more time to forget about the furor over the speculation tax.
In the backrooms of all the parties, politicians and strategists are calculating furiously.
