While much of the political talk in Langley relates to the Township mayoralty race, the provincial political scene is far from quiet.
NDP leader Adrian Dix paid at least his fourth visit to Langley this year on Sunday, speaking at the nominating meeting of Langley NDP candidate Andrew Mercier.
Dix pledged to visit Langley many more times between now and the next provincial election, which under the fixed election date schedule is set for May 14, 2013.
The nomination meeting was moved up because of what Dix called “the largest fire drill in provincial history.” He was referring to Premier Christy Clark’s statement, on assuming the BC Liberal leadership. that she would likely call an election this year. She was unwilling to dampen that speculation until just a few weeks ago, when she ruled an 2011 election out.
The enthusiasm of the NDP about the possibility of winning the Langley riding was obvious at the meeting. Many of those in attendance were young people, who were energized by the very strong run of NDP candidate Piotr Majkowski in the recent federal election. They are ready to get to work to elect Mercier, who was Majkowski’s campaign manager. He pledged to start campaigning and meeting potential voters right away.
Dix is an impressive number-cruncher, and he believes the gap between Mercier and MLA Mary Polak is one that can be bridged — even if the Conservatives do not run leader John Cummins in Langley, as has been widely speculated. Cummins lives in the riding, and thus far has not chosen a specific seat to contest.
As a former Delta MP, he has good reasons to run there, but for a variety of reasons he is unlikely to oppose independent Vicki Huntington in Delta South. He could run in Delta North, which is currently held by NDP MLA Guy Gentner.
Cummins was also in the Langley area for a meeting on Saturday with potential supporters. His gathering in a small room at the ABC Restaurant at 192 Street and Langley Bypass attracted about 35 people, and there was plenty of interest in what he had to say.
Cummins and Dix are likely to be spending a lot more time in Langley than Clark, as she has many areas of Liberal support which need shoring up. The Liberals have long considered Langley a sure thing, but the Langley riding isn’t as much of a fortress as Fort Langley-Aldergrove.
To Clark’s credit, she was the only Liberal leadership candidate to actually hold an open campaign event in Langley, and she also made an appearance here at Polak’s fundraiser, which took place just after the Liberal leadership vote.
Polak has been a solid MLA and has been in cabinet for several years. She has been a strong defender of both Gordon Campbell and, more recently, Clark, and will never shy away from a good political battle.
She has a strong presence in the community and is almost certain to run again.
If the Langley riding is seen by the Liberals to be vulnerable, it’s a safe bet that Clark will be showing up here far more often.
