When we elect politicians to serve us, we expect them to stick around and do the job. We feel annoyed and even betrayed when they ride off in search of greener electoral pastures.
Victoria Coun. Laurel Collins has become the latest in a string of B.C. elected officials who have decided to ditch their current jobs before their terms are up, so they can run for some other post.
Collins said last week she plans to run for the NDP nomination to replace Victoria MP Murray Rankin, who is not running in the next election. Rankin has served his constituents well and he is welcome to retire or move on to other adventures. And he did it the right way, by serving out his current term.
Collins, however, is in the middle of her first term as a city councillor. Ambition is commendable, but so is commitment. Victorians thought she wanted to serve on council, and they resent the notion that their important civic business is just a stepping stone to something greater.
Even more experienced politicians are jumping ship. Leonard Krog was elected mayor of Nanaimo soon after being re-elected to his longtime job as an MLA. Then Sheila Malcolmson ditched her berth in the House of Commons to run for Krog’s provincial seat.
Over on the Mainland, Kennedy Stewart decided being mayor of Vancouver was more appealing than being the MP for Burnaby South.
It’s probably just a coincidence that all these people are members of the NDP. Regardless of their political stripes, however, they leave voters feeling peeved.
Those voters should demand that vagabond politicians pay for the unnecessary byelections.
