Lord's legacy
Comments (4)
Monday, September 18, 2006 | 09:36 PM ET
By Jacques Poitras
As I write, Bernard Lord is moving towards the stage. What a different look on his face tonight compared to 1999, when he was practically carried through the crowd and onto the stage by a wave of excitement and energy.
Two questions for readers:
1. What is his legacy? He certainly cemented the PC party's ability to win in all regions of the province, and his health reforms were difficult but, many said, necessary. What else?
2. What's next for Lord? He said during the campaign he might run federally if he lost. Will he? Should he? Can he?
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About the Author
Jacques Poitras is CBC Radio's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick. He has reported on the province's politics for The Current, The House, Don Newman's Politics, and other CBC and Radio-Canada programs. He is also the author of The Right Fight: Bernard Lord and the Conservative Dilemma, published by Goose Lane Editions.
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Comments (4)
Glendon Thomson
Hampstead
Well said, Mr. Campbell. I was amazed by the number of PC supporters who took credit for the fiscal responsibility and balanced budgets introduced by Frank McKenna. Mr. Lord inherited a political and economic dream and tossed it away with both hands. When asked last night about his most significant accomplishment during his seven years, he replied that he would have to think about it. If you can't name a single accomplishment off the cuff after seven years in power there is something amiss!
Unfulfilled potential is definitely his legacy. How sad for NB. I suspect historians will view the Lord administration as a care-taker government between the the spectacular period of growth and opportunity of Robichaud-Hatfield-McKenna and the new generation of New Brunswickers called to action last evening. The torch has been passed and let's generate some excitement again!
Posted September 19, 2006 11:42 AM
Jennifer Guitard
1. I agree with David Campbell. "What could have been" is definitely the legacy.
2. There were comments during the election that Lord had federal opportunities. I wonder how much this played on the mind of voters. It's great to have a backup plan, but Lord's mistake was telling voters that he did have other opportunities in case the election didn't work out. After all, voters would want to believe that winning was Plan A to Z.
I don't know if anyone else caught this little piece of interest on the ATV coverage last night. There was one statement that Chisholm Pothier made earlier in the evening to reporter Andy Campbell and Bernard Lord later made in his speech. It was something to the effect of "we should be proud live in a society where we make decisions democratically, not with a gun."
Is this the new PC slogan?
Posted September 19, 2006 08:38 AM
Kathy Chapman
Moncton
I am so hoping he does not jump to the Federal Party! WE NEED HIM in NB as no one knows this province better. I was encouraged by the fact that most of his cabinet was returned and am hoping that there will be a vigorous opposition.
I think an excellent blog topic will be how long after the imported Liberal party advisors will it take before Graham and the Liberal implode on themselves.
And how sad Mike Murphy must be this morning that his shot at being the saviour of the NB Liberal party went up in flames last night.
Posted September 19, 2006 08:05 AM
David Campbell
Moncton
I think his legacy must be related to what could have been. He came to power in 1999 and inherited a balanced budget and a national reputation as a province on the radar for economic development. He governed New Brunswick at a time of unprecedented economic and population growth nationally. While all three of his predecessors had to endure major recessions during their administrations, Lord was lucky enough to govern at a time when his coffers filled more and more each year. The potential, I believe, for a significant period of economic growth was distinctly possible. But it didn't happen. Lord's legacy? What could have been and wasn't. I hope some enterprising journalist will take up the charge and write a thoughtful book about Lord's time in office as Premier New Brunswick. I think it could be very helpful both to the next generation of politicians but also to New Brunswickers as a whole.
Posted September 19, 2006 05:00 AM