(Almost) everything you wanted to know about BC politics
“Horgan was more inclusive, a team leader, a chair of the board, and he delegated. Eby doesn’t do any of those things.”
–Vaughn Palmer
“If [BC Conservatives] stick to the economy, I think they can stick together. If they stray into social conservatism and faith and all that that goes with that, it’s going to be a problem.”
—Keith Baldrey
If you follow BC politics, veteran political journalists Vaughn Palmer and Keith Baldrey need no introduction.
For everyone else, Vancouver Sun political columnist, Palmer, and Global BC legislative bureau chief, Baldrey, have chronicled the triumphs and disasters of 11 premiers (“and counting:” Vaughn). They’ve seen governments rise and fall and rise again. They’ve watched political stars burn bright, flame out, as others take their place. They’ve heard eloquent speeches, and tedious pontificating. They’ve analyzed more laws, public policies, election campaigns, press conferences, official reports and legislative maneouverings than the cabinet ministers and Premier running the province.
With 40 years of backstory, they see the whole iceberg. They can spot patterns, smell trouble and contextualize the significance before it’s barely hit the radar of mere mortals.
Both journalists sat down with Northern Beat this week to share their insights into the story of the session, past and present leadership styles of premiers, where the new BC Conservative leader can take her caucus if she’s inclined, how some First Nations leaders have dangerously over-reached on co-governance, why both major parties are in flux, and more.
Podcast excerpt: ‘Political dynamite’
Listen to the highlight reel or watch the full podcast:
Podcast producers: Rob Shaw & Zach Proulx