Ballad of the SS BC NDP

What does Captain Edward John Smith, Captain Joseph Hazelwood and BC NDP Leader Carole James have in common? Why, they all were the captains of doomed ships.

"Arahhh, this is not a fair comparison," noted nautical expert, Captain Highliner declared. "I mean an iceberg and a reef off the coast of Alaska were not nearly as obvious as the events leading up to the Ipsos-Reid poll."

The doomed Titantic's hull only wished it could take as many hits the BC NDP have taken before sinking. Ever since the latest Ipsos-Reid poll came out last month showing the NDP's rating with the public sinking to 2001 levels, while the BC Liberals are approaching historic highs, the NDP have been stuck as to what to do. In fact, the NDP have been down right silent. Well, almost.

"Arahhh, that be true. You see Captain Carole James is now making important changes on the SS BC NDP.", Highliner said.

Really? Like changes in policy? Perhaps distancing themselves from their union puppet masters?

"Arahhh, no...nothing so time or effort consuming like that", Highliner scoffed. "Rather she's giving the preverbal deck chairs a healthy shuffle."

That's right. Without the Government shuffling their Cabinet Ministers, James has shuffled her "shadow cabinet" - without giving an explation. However, she did take the time to have this quote attributed to her. BTW - if you think the writing on this intrepid Poly is creative, check this out:

"The new critic assignments will build on our successes...Under my leadership, the NDP is putting forward a pro-growth agenda that benefits ordinary families and prepares BC for its competitive, global future."

Hahahahahahaha! "Under my leadership"? A "pro-growth agenda"? Oooh, boy. Has James finally lost it?

"Arahhh, quite possibly mate, quite possibly.", Highliner began. "When you are chasing the thing most elusive to ya, that thing can make you crazy in a Moby Dick kinda way."

So what is it that James is chasing?

"Legitimacy.", Highliner answered. "Arahhh, that and consistency, good questions in question period, some sound fiscal management, a team that supports her, not being compared to Finance Minster Carole Taylor, re-election, more support and money from unions,..."

Ok, I get it. But could the NDP not move in a positive direction by speaking on the big issues in our province? For example, the BCTF and Government agreed to a contract this past Friday, thus preventing a strike which would have kept our province's approximately five billion students (figure may be slightly off) out of the classroom, however nothing from the NDP - including their website.

"Arahhh, that's because Jinny Sims nor Vaughn Palmer ain't be telling them yet what to say," Highliner exclaimed. "'Cause the wrong word from the lips of James and that scurvy dog of a first mate, Mike Farnworth will be fixing for a mutiny!"

On the surface, it does not appear that merely moving her drowning MLAs from one position to another will be enough to save the NDP. In fact the biggest move could / should have been James stepping down as leader! So what is next?

"Arahhh, you have to know that James has a plan."

What would that be?

"She be planning on holding a team building exercise on board something called the Hindenburg."

We can only hope.