EDITORIAL – Are politicians who switch sides courageous or opportunistic?

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger.

WHO WILL BE NEXT? Surrey South MLA Elenore Sturko is the latest defector from BC United, announcing today she’s switching to the BC Conservatives.

It’s a major blow for Kevin Falcon’s party, since she’s been an effective voice, especially on issues involving the criminal justice system. Her announcement comes only a few days after BC United caucus chair Lorne Doerkson of Cariboo-Chilcotin did the same thing.

Their reasoning is similar: the NDP must be defeated and the BC Conservatives have the best chance of doing it. The Conservatives have now doubled their caucus in Victoria to four, with Doerkson and Sturko joining earlier defector Bruce Banman of Abbotsford South and party leader John Rustad, who represents Nechako Lakes. Rustad, of course, didn’t leave BC United of his own volition.

That sound we hear may be politicians leaving a sinking ship. Or, alternatively, nails being driven into the coffin of BC United. One can’t help but suspect more will follow.

Keep in mind, though, the BC Conservatives have been having some problems of their own, having to dismiss several candidates for unpalatable far-right views. Several more, in fact, than they’ve gained from BC United.

It’s always entertaining to see the abrupt changes of attitudes parties and defectors have towards one another. Sturko, who has not been at all shy about strongly criticising the Rustad Conservatives, now sees them as the saviour of the province. The Conservatives, for their part, suddenly accept Sturko as a fine MLA.

And Sturko is, as of today, persona non grata to BC United, though the reaction of those who remain faithful to the party seems a little less condemning than in similar situations in the past.

The question must always be asked — are politicians who change horses courageous or simply opportunistic? The answer, no doubt, depends on their motives, and on the views of those watching it happen. And, on whether one thinks the goal of defeating the government is sufficient grounds.

Mel Rothenburger is a former regular contributor to CFJC-TV and CBC radio, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor.  He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.