By Harinder Mahil

Sometimes both the public and press make unfair criticism of our elected officials. I have been guilty of it as well.

The Vancouver Sun columnist Vaughan Plamer wrote a column last Saturday in which he was critical of Premier David Eby. The caption of the column reads: “Premier David Eby’s centralized control may play a role in sudden cabinet resignations.”

Palmer wrote that the resignations of three key ministers Bruce Ralston, Harry Bains and Rob Fleming was a surprise, because of the timing and because two had said they’d run again. 

All three of them have been NDP MLA’S since 2005 and have served their constituents for almost 20 years. 

Harry Bains is 72 and Bruce Ralston is 71. When should a politician resign? We see many politicians around the world who continue to run for office past 80. President Joe Biden is facing criticism for staying in politics past 80. It is damned if you do and damned if you don’t. 

There are many factors that come into play when someone decides to retire. This is especially true of politicians because they want tomake sure they are not seen as lame ducks if they announced their retirement too soon.

I am not sure what facts were considered by Rob Fleming before he announced not to seek re-election. However, I have discussed this with Harry Bains and know that his wife played in role in his decision. They had decided months ago that he would not seek re-election in October 2024. Just because he did not announce it months earlier did not mean that the decision was made in the last few weeks.

Similarly, I know from my sources that Bruce Ralston had decided a number of months ago not to seek re-election but chose not to announce it publicly. I have a feeling that all three Harry Bains, Bruce Ralston and Rob Fleming had conveyed their decisions to Premier Eby many months ago. 

I am not surprised that Bains and Ralston would think about retirement. Only a small percentage of people can make a commitment for another four years past the age of 70.

Bains said in a statement that, “it’s time for someone else to continue the work we’ve begun.” 

Ralston in a statement to the Surrey Now-Leader said, “I’ve been at it almost 20 years, so I decided that it’s time for the next phase of my life.”

All three Bains, Ralston and Fleming have stated that they will campaign for the NDP in the next provincial election.

I do not know enough about Premier Eby or how he interacts with his cabinet ministers. I am certain that he did not have anything to do with the three ministers deciding not to run for re-election. If they were unhappy with him or the government, they would have said so. They had nothing to lose as they are leaving politics. There are also many other ministers and MLA’s who have chosen to seek re-election.

There is a tendency amongst most of us to be cynical of the statements made by politicians. I feel in this case the columnist is being unfair to the Premier.

Harinder Mahil is a human rights activist and is secretary of the Dr. Hari Sharma Foundation.