There's an old saying in politics. Political parties don't win elections; governments lose them.
Our history is strewn with the corpses of regimes that outlived their usefulness. After 23 years of reigning supreme, Joey's Liberals finally lost their stranglehold on near absolute power. By the early 1970s, the electorate was so turned off by the party they had remained loyal to since Confederation, the deep discontent guaranteed the once all-powerful party at least 17 years of wandering aimlessly in the political wilderness, while the Tories ruled the roost.
It was interesting and perhaps timely to see Brian Peckford resurface in recent weeks with his new book about the sun shining and have-not being no more. Despite his success with the Atlantic Accord, it was, in the end, Peckford's obsession with Sprung and cucumbers that cost his successor, Tom Rideout, the 1989 election. Another example of a hitherto popular party wearing out its welcome with the voters. That coupled with the fact Clyde Wells was viewed as something of a Messiah-like figure, at least among loyal Liberals.
In this province, we like to see our political leaders take the odd stroll across our harbours without getting their feet wet. We like someone to take us by the hand and lead us to the promised land of milk, honey and have-province status.
Enter dashing Danny. Like his predecessors, premiers Moores, Peckford, Wells and Tobin, Williams knew when to get out of politics while the getting was good. Not that staying around would have been a problem for Williams, who some have already anointed, "our greatest premier," even before history gets a chance to make its unbiased judgment.
Unlike some of his predecessors of both political stripes, Williams left his party in such great shape, it now has nowhere to go but down.
No doubt a charismatic leader like Williams is a hard act for anyone to follow.
Despite leading her party to a resounding victory in the last provincial general election, Kathy Dunderdale appears to be flopping around in those extra large shoes she was asked and subsequently chose to fill.
Recent polls have shown some considerable slippage in popularity for the governing party and its newly minted leader.
Then came another twist recently, which hinted Kathy's ship of state may be heading into some rough waters, and so early in her maiden voyage.
Veteran PC stalwart Tom Osborne jumped ship and decided to sit as an independent, at least for now. Not exactly a cabinet heavyweight - currently he doesn't even hold a seat at the cabinet table. But he is the longest serving Tory MHA in the House, which should count for something. After 16 years of reading from his party's hymnbook, one doesn't suddenly defect without some reason, selfish or not.
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