The Tsunami of Resignations

Keith Martin, the MP for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca has decided to call it quits, and doesn't intend to run in the next federal election, opting to work for NGOs and the private sector. He has been the elected representative of the district for the past 17 years, after he defeated former BC NDP Premier Dave Barrett in his re-election bid during the 1993 election.

Mr. Martin claims that the reason for his retirement from politics is due to polarization in the House of Commons. While this is a reasonable explanation, it's more likely in his belief that his next re-election bid would probably end in failure after 2008's strong Conservative result. He also ruled out running to become the next leader of the BC Liberals stating that he has weak connections with most MLAs in the governing caucus, and that provincial politics is even more polarized than its immediate successor.

Mr. Martin's removal from the local political scene represents the end of the Red Tory movement begun by him. This move will cause the riding to return to normalcy, with either the Conservatives or NDP winning, and the other finishing in second. A Liberal victory here in the next election would be very unlikely.

Mr. Martin's final hope is that the train be utilized as an alternative method of transportation than sitting in Colwood for an hour. His comment also clearly had an allusion to the Conservatives plan for a new interchange. Finally, Mr. Martin said that without new blood in Ottawa, new ideas will be unable to move forward. While I respect Keith Martin for what he has done for our community, his remarks suggest he is an activist who is lacking fresh ideas. Mr. Martin is right though, new blood is coming in the form of an NDP victory in Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca.