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Banking on voter amnesia

Editor Autumn MacDonald weighs in on the recent stepping down of Kevin Falcon

Former finance minister Kevin Falcon’s departure reeks of jumping ship.

Wednesday afternoon, Falcon announced he was leaving politics and would not be running in the 2013 election due to the customary excuse of needing more time with family.

And fair enough. His wife is expecting their second miracle in February, right about the time he’d have to deliver his second provincial budget.

No one can fault a man for wanting to focus on his family.

But let’s get honest (yes, I realize the irony of using that term here.) Falcon did not choose to quit the team purely for family reasons.

And he knows the game, he’s completely aware of how his hasty retreat is being deciphered.

Falcon is jumping a sinking ship, even after he vowed to stick with the party win or lose.

And his departure hits them at a time when they’re at their weakest. Not exactly a team player, nor one you want to see reemerge once voter amnesia inevitably settles in.

And that’s what he’s banking on.

Falcon has said he will not run in the 2013 election, but was quoted as saying “never say never” when asked if he was gone for good.

Sadly, Falcon’s actions are not surprising or ground-breaking. Premier Christy Clark ducked out of provincial politics eight years ago only to reappear and run for the leadership. Voters need to pay more attention to the actions of political players rather than on the party.

Falcon’s decision to bail when his team is in dire straights is indicative of poor leadership and poorer integrity.

–Autumn MacDonald, Observer