EDITORIAL: Kamloops becomes leader central
Provincial voters will go to the polls on May 14 to elect a new government.
According to Elections BC, the election campaign will officially begin on April 16, which is writ day, the day the ordinary nomination period begins.
According to everyone outside of Elections BC, the election campaign started long ago, right about the time Christy Clark was selected by B.C. Liberal Party members to replace Gordon Campbell.
The campaign really has been in full swing since then.
Over the course of two days —March 21 and March 22 — Kamloops voters will have the rather unique opportunity to meet all three leaders of the province’s main trio of parties.
Within a 27-hour period, Premier Christy Clark, B.C. Conservative Leader John Cummins and B.C. NDP Leader Adrian Dix will visit the city that has long served as the province’s bellwether riding.
The MLA representing Kamloops (or a portion thereof during the dual-MLA era and when riding boundaries changed) has always been a government member.
When the Socreds win in 1952, Kamloops was on board. When the NDP won in 1972, Kamloops leaned left. When Social Credit returned in 1975, Kamloops returned as well.
Same thing happened with the NDP victory of 1991 and B.C. Liberal triumph of 2001.
It is not surprising, then, to see all three leaders see fruitful possibilities in the Tournament Capital, with two seats up for grabs.
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