EDITORIAL: Suddenly, politics becomes quieter
Some pondered why Kevin Krueger was being more verbose than usual this past spring.
The venerable — and vocal — B.C. Liberal MLA from Kamloops-South Thompson had occupied newspaper headlines for heckling in the legislature.
Then, in a moment in May that clarified why he is known as Foghorn, Krueger walked up to waiting reporters in Victoria and went on a minutes-long rant, attacking former B.C. Liberal MLA John van Dongen and making sure to toss some verbal darts at B.C. NDP Leader Adrian Dix while he had the attention of the province’s major media.
Never a wallflower, Krueger’s 17 years in politics have often been accompanied by his acid tongue.
But, these past few incidents struck some as evidence he was operating unfiltered as a final push toward political retirement.
Questioned this year in the wake of other B.C. Liberal MLAs packing it in, Krueger had maintained he was ready for the May 2013 election.
Not anymore.
His decision to not seek re-election is connected to a desire to spend more time with his family, Krueger told KTW yesterday (June 27) as he paid the newsroom a visit.
He hinted the party has a potential dynamite candidate ready to carry the B.C. Liberal (or whatever name is attached to the party in the next election) flag, a person with premier qualities.
Who is this person?
Krueger won’t say, but we will soon enough know the names of all those seeking to become MLA as the fall arrives with various candidacy races.
It remains to be seen whether the B.C. NDP or B.C. Conservatives will benefit from not having Krueger as an opponent during the next campaign.
What is not in doubt is the effect a Foghorn-less political landscape will have on quotes in stories and ink in editorial cartoons.
Let the new era begin.
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