B.C.香蕉视频直播檚 87 new and recycled MLAs will be sworn into office today and tomorrow, setting the stage for the Liberals to take power, hold it for a few days, be toppled in a confidence vote and watch as the NDP, with the backing of the B.C. Greens, form its first government in B.C. in 16 years.
Despite Christy Clark香蕉视频直播檚 Liberals winning the most seats in the provincial election last month, the total wasn香蕉视频直播檛 enough to stop the joint NDP-Green deal, which will give the NDP a one-seat advantage when it comes to voting strength香蕉视频直播攅nough to unseat the Liberals from power.
But there香蕉视频直播檚 already talk of how long the NDP-Green marriage of convenience will last.
Before John Horgan香蕉视频直播檚 NDP can take power, however, there香蕉视频直播檚 the issue of selecting a Speaker of the Legislature香蕉视频直播攁t least until the confidence vote takes place. While the job will be an extremely short-term gig for whoever gets it, it does not appear to be an appealing prospect for any of the 43 Liberal MLAs. None have indicated a desire to seek the Speaker香蕉视频直播檚 chair during the Liberals last few days in power.
If no Liberal steps up, it would fall to the NDP to put someone forward. But, with such a such a slim majority (when combined with the three Green MLAs), the NDP is hesitant to risk losing the vote of non-confidence it is expected to move following introduction of the Liberals speech from the throne.
And if there香蕉视频直播檚 no Speaker, there香蕉视频直播檒l be no Legislative session. And that means heading back to the polls for another election. But that香蕉视频直播檚 not likely to happen as no one wants a mid-summer vote so soon after last month香蕉视频直播檚 provincial election.
So, like two sharks circling bloody bait in the water, the Liberals and the NDP are waiting for the other to move before pouncing.
No matter who ends up forming the next government香蕉视频直播攁nd the smart money is on the NDP香蕉视频直播攖he party left in opposition will be focused on just one task: toppling it.
So much for all the talk from Horgan and Clark about learning from the results of the election that voters want them to work together. That isn香蕉视频直播檛 going to happen.
With an MLA香蕉视频直播檚 illness, or even just sleeping in, enough to potentially turn future votes in the Legislature, survival will be as big a job for the next government as will be governing.
It may not be as final as getting voted off the island, but when Survivor: B.C. Legislature hits prime time in the next few weeks, expect all the intrigue, back-biting, deal-making and alliances featured in the television show.
There香蕉视频直播檚 a reason politics in B.C. has been compared to a blood sport. Viewers香蕉视频直播r香蕉视频直播oters are about to see that play out in Victoria.
Alistair Waters is the assistant editor of the Capital News.
