Incumbents sit back, relax

One thing Stephane Dion accomplished: few of us were thinking of the sponsorship scandal anymore - much.

It was no surprise the surprise winner of the bizarre Liberal leadership conclave in Montreal in 2006 turned out as he did. After all, he wasn’t even a major contender going into that event.

It appeared the work of former prime minister Paul Martin was for naught. Martin’s own father designed much of the Liberal social program and was himself denied a turn as leader and prime minister during the 1960s in favor of others. The party went off the rails. The good times of the era, however, hid that factor.

As 1990s finance minister, Martin fils put the federal books back in order and awaited his turn. Alas, it came too late: he faced resistance to his views - particularly on the military and foreign affairs - from his own party, effectively pole-axing his short prime ministership in 2006.

Here’s where our own Kings-Hants MP Scott Brison comes in. Crossing from the outgoing federal Conservatives, Brison subsequently became Martin’s public works minister. He was a contender in the 2006 conclave after Martin’s election-loss resignation. Brison will sit Dion’s replacement search out - and wisely so. He would only be dragged into what promise to be the Liberal Wars, the final battle of those forces who would see the Liberal as a responsible centrist party, as the Martins - pere and fils - had supported; and the mercurial pack of political opportunists that had held sway for much of the time from 1968. It will be a politically bloody affair among a group that now has few resources - including talent - to spare.

Brison would be wasting his time and currency, only to wind up on the wrong side of the spectrum within the party - again. He should just haul up a lawn chair and watch the fireworks. It may be some time before these wars conclude and things get back to right.

At the same time, the Tories are settling more deeply into power, increasing their support in the huge cities, from within certain ethnic communities and in parts of the country thought to be solid Liberal. Maybe Stephen Harper was returned Oct. 14 just because enough of us realize the days of excess are over - in fact, have been for decades, and that he and the Tories are the best bet to clear things up and prepare for any return to the good times.

No, it’s not just that he isn’t Stephane Dion.

A local look at the incumbency

Meanwhile, in the October 18 municipal elections, the incumbents did relatively well.

Their worships Kentville Mayor Dave Corkum and Mayor Bob Stead of Wolfville returned to office, as did Kings County Warden Fred Whalen. Berwick Mayor John Prall had already been acclaimed.

One sitting councillor each in the municipality and Shiretown was not returned. Again, this shows a “steady-as-you-go” attitude in these increasingly challenging times.