B.C.鈥檚 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鈥檚 Liberals winning the most seats in the provincial election last month, the total wasn鈥檛 enough to stop the joint NDP-Green deal, which will give the NDP a one-seat advantage when it comes to voting strength鈥攅nough to unseat the Liberals from power.
But there鈥檚 already talk of how long the NDP-Green marriage of convenience will last.
Before John Horgan鈥檚 NDP can take power, however, there鈥檚 the issue of selecting a Speaker of the Legislature鈥攁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鈥檚 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鈥檚 no Speaker, there鈥檒l be no Legislative session. And that means heading back to the polls for another election. But that鈥檚 not likely to happen as no one wants a mid-summer vote so soon after last month鈥檚 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鈥攁nd the smart money is on the NDP鈥攖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鈥檛 going to happen.
With an MLA鈥檚 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鈥檚 a reason politics in B.C. has been compared to a blood sport. Viewers鈥r鈥oters are about to see that play out in Victoria.
Alistair Waters is the assistant editor of the Capital News.
