Is popular Surrey MP Sukh Dhaliwal really serious about his musings about running for Surrey mayor in the October civic elections after another provincial politician, BC Labour Minister Harry Bains showed interest but ultimately decided not to leave his cosy cabinet post. Dhaliwal also recently said that he was thinking of running for mayor in Surrey but last week he said he hasn’t decided yet.
By R. Paul Dhillon – Editor- Founder DESIBUZZCanada
SURREY – Is popular Surrey MP Sukh Dhaliwal really serious about his musings about running for Surrey mayor in the October civic elections after another provincial politician, BC Labour Minister Harry Bains showed interest but ultimately decided not to leave his cosy cabinet post.
Dhaliwal also recently said that he was thinking of running for mayor in Surrey but last week he said he hasn’t decided yet.
The MP for Surrey-Newton told Surrey Now-Leader newspaper that people have been approaching him over the past two months to give it a go.
“I haven’t made any final decision yet but I’m thinking it very seriously, you know, talking to my family, friends. But I’m happy though, I’m doing my job. Member of Parliament, they expect to work. I’m going to keep on serving one way or the other.”
“There’s a lot of people who have approached me from all walks of life and from all parties as well, irrespective of political stripe,” Dhaliwal said. “People are looking for a change right now at the city hall.”
MLA Bains (Surrey-Newton) had also said earlier that he was being urged to run for mayor in Surrey but said at the time that she’ll “think about it,” as his focus remains in the provincial arena.
“Number one, my priorities lies with the province,” Bains said. “That’s where my passion is. All the issues, health care, education, fair labour laws, public transporation, child care, are all under provincial and I am deeply involved in that.”
“There’s much more to do,” said Bains, who decided not to go ahead with any plan to run for mayor.
Similarly, there were rumours in November that Bains’ fellow NDP MLA from Surrey Jinny Jogindro Sims was approached to run for Surrey mayor but apparently she did not publicized or commented on the rumours.
Current mayor Doug McCallum and his remaining council members will be facing an uphill battle retain their seats as the old guard Surrey First and high profile newcomers like Dhaliwal and potentially Sims get their slates in order as complete new parties or joining Surrey First or Brenda Locke and Jack Hundial already announced Surrey Connect slates.
