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Capitalizing on HST power
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November 24, 2010
Commenting on potential B.C. Liberal leadership candidate George Abbott’s recommendation that the HST referendum be moved up to June 24, SFU political scientist Majorie Griffen Cohen says: “Good shot!” Griffen Cohen believes Abbott, B.C.’s education minister, took advantage of his appearance at the opening of a new elementary school near SFU Burnaby yesterday, to publicize is viewpoint on the HST. Abbott said the referendum date should be moved up. He also all but officially threw his name into the race to replace Gordon Campbell as premier.
“My sense is that any new Liberal leader will have the referendum early and try to capitalize on the narrowing gap between the Liberals and NDP, as the Liberals seek a new leader and Carol James struggles with less than the full support of her caucus. That way he or she will be able to rescind the fix-date election and go to the polls in the early fall,” suggests Griffen Cohen.
SFU political marketing expert Lindsay Meredith adds: “The Liberals will want to move up the HST referendum and the election date so that they don’t run the risk of bleeding to death if the MLA recall campaign takes off.”
Marjorie Griffen Cohen, 778.782.5838; mcohen@sfu.ca
Lindsay Meredith, 778.782.5554; meredith@sfu.ca
“My sense is that any new Liberal leader will have the referendum early and try to capitalize on the narrowing gap between the Liberals and NDP, as the Liberals seek a new leader and Carol James struggles with less than the full support of her caucus. That way he or she will be able to rescind the fix-date election and go to the polls in the early fall,” suggests Griffen Cohen.
SFU political marketing expert Lindsay Meredith adds: “The Liberals will want to move up the HST referendum and the election date so that they don’t run the risk of bleeding to death if the MLA recall campaign takes off.”
Marjorie Griffen Cohen, 778.782.5838; mcohen@sfu.ca
Lindsay Meredith, 778.782.5554; meredith@sfu.ca