The B.C. Conservatives have been so quiet lately, we're beginning to wonder if they've finally stopped the internal bleeding.
Of course, much in politics goes quiet during the Christmas season, but even the few weeks before that, the Conservatives seemed to be returning to business as usual after a months-long internal revolt.
Leader John Cummins was touring the province early this month talking policy and attending candidate nomination meetings. He resumed announcing appointments to his campaign and party organizations, attending fundraisers and he has been back on the attack against the two major
parties, but especially the governing Liberals.
The fall revolt quickly sapped the party's credibility and support, which will be hard to regain between now and the May 14 election.
But perhaps Cummins' hard-line against the dissenters worked. People mocked his my-way-or-the-highway response to criticisms. Dissidents vowed to keep fighting, but many of them have been turfed, resigned or gone to the Liberal party, where they can make trouble there.
We're not convinced it's clear sailing for Cummins yet. The first few weeks of the new year will tell whether there's more infighting to come or whether it's really over.
But if it is, the Conservatives can focus again on trying to rebuild their credibility and appealing to small-c conservatives who are disenchanted with the Liberals.
Before the war, the B.C. Tories were polling around 20 per cent and appeared to be a serious threat in a dozen or so ridings.
Now, they're closer to 10 per cent, but still strong in about half a dozen ridings.
If Cummins can manage the party better than he has, he may still be able to make a case to voters that his party could hold the balance of power.
- City Editor Pat Bulmer