Victoria/Abbotsford -SEPTEMBER 9 UPDATE – The BC Liberal Party has revoked Darryl Plecas’ party membership. This was at the request of the Abbotsford South riding association. This appears to be retribution for Plecas taking away a precious seat for the Liberals in the Legislature as the Speaker of the House does not have a vote in any Parliamentary actions. Insiders have stated that Plecas enraged many Liberals for saying he wasn’t interested in the job, then changing direction. Plecas was also instrumental for the exit of former Premier Christy Clark.
In the news release from the riding association, Liberal party president Shane White says “Plecas had broken his trust with constituents and the party by taking the position after having repeatedly promised that he would not do so.”
SEPTEMBER 8 ORIGINAL STORY – The Hon. Darryl Plecas MLA Abbotsford South is now the new Speaker of the BC Legislature. Liberal interim Leader Rich Coleman is apparently not happy with Plecas’ decision, as the Abbotsford MLA originally stated internally, that he would not seek the position.
Plecas was the only MLA to put his name forward
This means the NDP and Green Party will not have to forfeit a seat for the role of Speaker of the House.
Plecas broke with parliamentary tradition and gave some breathing room to the New Democrat’s razor-thin minority government. The acclamation ends months of speculation on how Premier John Horgan would manage with a razor thin coalition majority (the NDP vote was a minority) if he had to put up one of his own members (or a Green Party member) as Speaker.
Former Premier Christy Clark’s Spokesperson and CBC voice Stephen Smart said What an (another) unbelievable betrayal by Plecas. Obviously to the party, but more importantly to the the voters who elected him.
The Throne Speech, the first for the NDP, will be delivered Friday afternoon at 2PM.
