WHEN PROFESSIONAL Political observers study a new government as it settles into office, mistakes are ig- nored. New policies are merely scann- ed. Statements of new ministers, for the most part, are deemed to be irrelevant. The heart of a government will ’ be found in elements of style. The pro looks for indicators. In his best book, Gentlemen, Players and Politicians, backroom guru Dalton Camp wrote about the 1957 minority victory of John Diefenbaker, a campaign that had also been a victory for the young Strategist from the Maritimes. Camp sent on his congratula- tions to his leader. He concludes his book with this comment: “There would be neither ac- knowledgement nor reply — ever. “But the triumph was complete. The tragedy was only beginning, as with the first flicker of sensa- tion too fleeting to be recognized as pain, but which heralds the cer- tain death of a dream.”’ Diefenbaker’s arrogance was to doom the Tories to 20 years of ignominy, aided in no small measure by Camp’s ultimate determination to get rid of him. All new governments give clues. Bilt Bennett, in 1975, signalled an - end to romantic construction by cancelling the Dease Lake exten- sion, He followed this with a variety of financial rationalizations, soundly structuring old and new . Crown corporations, appointing many top-flight businessmen. But almosr the day after his toughest victory — the 1983 cam- paign —~ Bennett went to war. This was the clue. While the opponents licked their wounds in defeat and most of the media went on holiday, the pros watched the immediate aftermath. , They were the first to see that ’” "Premier Bennett was about to unleash a savage economic ” downsizing of government. eee Within days of his Whistler triumph Bill Vander Zalm gave . hints as to his style. It was ali . positive. Open, friendly, caring — _ the perfect antidote to the dour legacy of Bennett. But this was the pre-election honeymoon period. The amateurs were lulled _ to’sleep. The professional analysis began ‘the moment after his election ee triumph. And this is where we en- countered “‘the first flicker of sensation too fieeting to be recognized as pain.’’ The premier astounded the civil service by appointing a raw beginner (David Poole) to the dual roles of deputy minister and prin- cipal secretary. It was like asking a whale to run the 100-yard dash. The first chuckles came from ca- reer civil servants. When the premier started gov- erning in the parking lot, spon- taneously expressing opinions on religion, abortion, education and anything else asked of him, and frequently contradicting his cabi- net ministers, the ‘‘flicker of sen- sation” had become a tap dance on the nervous system. The most audacious move was to dispatch Labor Minister Lyail Hansen and his deputy Graham Lestie on a province-wide fact- finding mission about a new labor code, while other consultants secretly crafted the legislation that soon hit the parliament. The minister was totally in the dark. To assess a new government, it is important to separate the clues from mere mistakes. Mistakes are irrelevant. Everyone makes them. It takes a considerable quantity and some consistency for them to destroy, Mike Harcourt's early con- tradictions were predictable byproducts of enthusiasm and confusion. He announced one labor timetable in Japan, soon reversing himself at home. He told the People’s Republic of China that British Columbia would participate in its free trade zones, and then had to waffle once back in the real world. His rude and unnecessary slight to Emery Barnes was an oversight that will be rectified in due course. Barnes should have been made Mir. Speaker. We thought we might have had Place Te Go When You're Pregnant And Need Support: | GIRTHRIGHT | acai S87-7313 « Free Pregnancy Test + B in Vancouver Call 8 r North Vancouver: 687-7225 E 229 Lonsdate e - Gifts of Relaxation, Beauty and Love Queen or King Package A full. day of total pampering designed especially for your a 3 5 toved ones Facial & Manicureres. sss $45 PermiCutiStyle Reflexology reg. $25$20 10 Suntans plus many more specials Prince or Princess Package Combination of Beauty 87 5 and Relaxation. Plan on 3 hours reg. $75 $59 $34 Runaway Gay pnccitt Contiticates | Certificates pnccitt Contiticates | erders available { 3101 Woodbine Drive, North Vancouver 988-8331 Gary Bannerman OPEN LINES a clue from the cabinet. My seismometer was aroused when the boy-girl cabinet balance was cheerfully announced. This was Mike (1’m a good, very with it guy) Harcourt at his best. It seemed to be like the national NDP attempt to mandate that 50% of the parliamentary seats be dedicated to women. To hell with democracy. Half must be women. Harcourt had the good sense to oppose this measure, but then we saw his cab- inet. When we studied the new cabi- ns sn ee. torent TOTEMCOLOR December Enlargement Special ¥ 2 for 1 prints (from same negative) Glossy only 11x14 $16 986-2271 = 119 East Ist St. “= Sunday, December 15, 1991 — North Shore News - 9 Style, not policies, reveals the heart of gov’t net in the context of the entire caucus, considering the seniority, regional representation and ability requirements, we concluded that this was not a clue. The number of women was an important statement, but the crucial test is that the women ap- pointed are just as qualified as any male alternative Harcourt could realistically have considered. Appointments a week ago to the Pacific National Exhibition Board may prove to be the most trouble- some indicator yet. The provirice appoints 10 of the 16 seats. The city fills the rest. The PNE is a multi-million- dollar business, with a huge asset base. Policy considerations em- brace the future of horse racing, the entire farm and agriculture industry of B.C. and an onrushing conflict with the Coliseum’s prime tenants, the Vancouver Canucks. The hockey team wants to move downtown. The city seems to want to grow grass on the site. To supervise this provincial trust, Finance Minister Glen Clark has appointed five women and five men (whoopee! another tie score). We have a Jabor lawyer, a heritage buildings advocate, a native Indian, an East Indian, a co-op housing manager, a trade union employee, a social worker, a personnel manager and the director of a music. association. Good stuff. When one thinks of Jim Pat- tison running Expo, my guess is that he might invite this crowd to be celebrity shoppers at Save- On-Foods, but they weulcn't be asked to manage the store. This was a clue. A qk ce a piece of cake! YULE LOGS serves 8-10 $1 995 Order early in your favorite flavor. 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