The decision by former premier Mike Harcourt to let his NDP membership lapse could help the party in the long run, according to Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen.
Earlier this week, Harcourt told the media that he was no longer a member of the party that he led from 1987 to 1996 because of differences with how the party treats its leaders, its initial position on the carbon tax and how outgoing leader Adrian Dix handled the Kinder Morgan pipeline issue during last year's campaign.
"I consider Mike a friend and I'm certainly disappointed to see him quit," Cullen said Thursday during a conference call with regional media. "I understand some of his frustrations as someone who comes from the resource sector of the province, we believe in responsible development. Some of criticisms are fair and some are a bit too strong."
Cullen said Harcourt's critique of the NDP's position on resource development could actually help future party leaders craft more balanced policies. During last spring's campaign Dix was criticized for panning the proposed expansion of the Kinder Morgan pipeline, which winds its way from Alberta to Burnaby, before the company released its detailed proposal.
"The party has got to sharpen their pencils about how to talk about responsible resource development," Cullen said. "I've been working the LNG companies and the mining companies in the northwest to bring people together and not tear them apart, it's difficult sometimes but it's a challenge worth taking on."
Cullen is hopeful that Harcourt's high profile departure from the party will inspire those who wish to replace Dix to make natural resources issues key campaign issues.
"If it focuses the BC leadership race on resource issues and how the NDP has to modernize our language and our thinking on resource development, that will be quite positive," Cullen said. "I don't doubt for a minute, because Mike has been a lifelong New Democrat, that in the back of his mind he was hoping for some of that impact as well."
NDP members will select Dix's replacement in September. MLAs John Horgan and Mike Farnworth have both launched their campaigns in recent weeks.
Cullen had mulled a leadership run of his own, but ruled it out to focus on his duties in Ottawa. Now he's considering endorsing someone during the leadership race, but he wants to make sure the field is set before making his pick.
"I've heard from at least one other person, a serious contender who is thinking about jumping in," he said.
When he does come down to endorsing, he said he'll look for a candidate who has a good handle on northern issues, especially resource development.
"I feel like this might be a time where I weigh in little bit and lend my voice to someone who I think has the best shot at forming government and representing things that go on in the northwest," he said.
- See Leyne column on page 6
