iberal reaction resignation surprises NDP, socred MLAs Desk-pounding ‘childish,’ Socred house leader says SAVID MITCHELL'S resignation from the Liberal aucus brought applause from at least two prominent embers of his own front bench, but kinder words from he other parties. Liberal house leader Judi Tyab- and labor critic Gary Farrell- oHins smiled broadly and ounded their desks to applaud itchell’s statement, while other iberals sat in stunned silence. Liberal leader Gordon Wilson dmitted afterwards that when the Vest Vancouver-Garibaldi MLA mose at 2:09 p.m. Monday to ask ie Speaker to allow him to sit as nm independent member, he ilson) had no idea what was oming. Neither did Tyabji (Okanagan ast) nor Farrell-Collins (Fort angley-Aldergrove), but their elight at the departure was evi- lent. A more sombre response came om Social Credit house leader liff Serwa, who described Mit- Mell as ‘ta good-quality individu- gi (who) has added a Jot to this Sgislature.” - Sezwa told the News that the lesk-pounding reaction ‘‘was a ry childish, senseless type of t.”” ™ He added that the Socreds ould seriously consider welcom- g Mitchell to their fold if the mpportunity presented itself. **The Liberal caucus is sinte grating, and their childish Paction to the loss of an individ- of the quality of Mr. Mitchell mhows) a poor level of ac- mplishment and comprehen- fon,’’ said Serwa. 8 Outside the House, Tyabji Repeatedly said she had no com- Maent on Mitchell's abrupt depar- bre from the caucus, nor about Ser applause at the announce- hent. But when pressed by reporters, By John Pifer and Surj Rattan she admitted that her reaction could. be accurately interpreted as approval of Mitchell’s decision. Farrell-Collins described the cheering of Mitchell's exit as ‘‘a spontaneous reaction’’ for which he was unapologetic. Liberal party leader Gordon Wilson said he would not be tak- ing any action, nor did he have any criticism of Tyab3i or Far- rell-Collins for appiauding Mit- chell’s departure, Premier Mike Harcourt, tfabel- ling the Liberals ‘tas a group without direction,”’ said the Op- position’s shrinking caucus had lost ‘tone of their most cnergetic and experienced persons ‘n terms of knowledge of the legistavure.”* He added that it was ‘obvious that Mr, Mitchell has foun it in- tolerable to operate within the caucus,”’ North Vancouver-Lonsdale NDP MLA David Sckreck ssid he . was ‘absolutely she.ked’’ when he saw the Liberal MLAs start pounding their desks when Mit- chell made his announcement. He added that they had pound- ed “so hard that they almost broke their desks.”’ “For such joy to be expressed shows they (Liberals) have a long way to go in forming party unity. You would think a serious politi- cal party would be trying to en- courage party unity. “This was almost like being driven out of town on a rail,” said Schreck. lddglgs ° alt ie CES NEWS photo Mike Wakefield LONSDALE QUAY market patrons pass under a giant horn blanketed in stars that decorates the main fo ing this festive season. Aitchell denies leadership aspiratio rom page 4 for a strong political opposition, ommitted to keeping a highly partisan government honest, it is Mow. But itis not happening.” Liberal leader Wilson declined o say whether Mitchell jumped before he was pushed. But it was known that the Lib- aural caucus had scheduled a Mon- May night meeting at which the Biaverick MLA’s actions were to ave been an issue. Wilson said that Mitchell’s weseparture ‘‘will remove the M@eeysfunction from our ranks. (He) Meound it difficult to be a team slayer. This is the end of a very ifficult chapter for our caucus. “Sometimes when you’ve got a Miayer on the field who keeps ‘oring in your own net, you’ve t to deal with it,”’ Wilson said. On Tuesday, Mitchell denied hat he wanted to oust Wilson ‘om his post as Liberal leader. a ‘I only wanted to serve my Monstituency. If people think I was ing to be top dog, or whatever, en maybe these rumors will be ut to rest by me standing aside Mom the Liberal caucus,”’ said Mitchell. He added that he made the decision to leave the caucus over the weekend, but said that he should have left long ago. “When I look back, { wish { had made the decision sooner, a lot soone;, ¢ ‘xved in longer and that re 9 lalse rumors and malicious uavendo directed towards me by my own caucus. “I need to have a voice in the legislature.’” Mitchell said attempts have been made to ‘‘silence’? him by members of the Liberal caucus. But Wilson called Mitchell’s suggestion that he was being muzzled by the caucus, ‘‘absolute, utter nonsense.”’ Mitchell said the desk-pounding applause from three Liberal members — Wilson, house leader Judi Tyabji and labor critic Gary Farrell-Collins — that greeted his announcement to quit the Liberal caucus illustrated ‘‘the conditions I was facing in the caucus.’’ - Jarvis criticized Mitchell for not first informing Wilson that he was Jeaving the caucus. But Mitchell said Wilson and the caucus knew for a long time that he had questioned whether there was 2 role for him to play within the caucus. He added that he is still a member of the Liberal parry; but will now sit as an independent Liberal. As to Wilson’s statement that there is no such thing as an in- dependent Liberal, Mitchell said, “That’s because he (Wilson) has not heard of one until now.” ~ West Vancouver-Capilano Lib- eral MLA Jeremy Dalton said Mitchell had not been supportive of the caucus. “1 don’t know why he went off the rails. It came as a surprise, but quite frankly, nothing in poli- tics surprises me anymore,” said Dalton. He added that Mitchell’s move will generate negative responses towards the Liberal party in the short term, but in the long term Liberal MLAs will unite behind Wilson. Mitchell, an historian and author of several books on poli- tics, including the biography of Social Credit party founder W.A.C, Bennett, repeatedly refer- red to the need to reform the eee re WV-GARIBALDI MLA David Mitchell... leaving Liberal caucus. parliamentary system during his press conference on Monday. He said the emerging new poli- tics ‘twill be much less based on the dictates of parties, and much more constituency-based. Those who try to ignore this (change) will soon go the way of the dinosaurs.”* yer of the North Vancouver City public market dur- imdiex | Budget Beaters @ Business @ Classified Ads Doug Collins 8 Comics i Editorial Page @ Frugal Gourmet 3 Bob Hunter @ Inquiring Reporter . .. BB Inquisitive Cook @ Kids’ Stuff & Lifestyles Mailbox @ What's Going On.... Weather Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Cloudy with showers, Highs 7°C, Lows 2°C. Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement Number 0087238