[Habsrwfan]

I just got word that the Newfoundland and Labrador provincial media is reporting that Danny Williams is stepping down as Premier and Leader of the PC Party of NL.

Assuming this is the case, do you think that there's a chance that Stephen Harper and the CPC can begin to make inroads back into that province, and maybe even seal the rift that formed between it and the PC Party of Newfoundland?

[plantguy]

I've got to say I'll miss him a bit. Whether you like him or not he certainly put some zing into an other wise bland political landscape.

[Habsrwfan]

plantguy - On the whole, I think he was a good Premier for Newfoundland (certainly a better Premier than a lot of the ones we have in Canada right now), but I obviously wasn't a fan of what he did on the Federal scene.

Still, he was a colorful character, and he did strike me as being much more in touch with the average citizen of his constituency than most Premiers, or most politicians for that matter.

[RCO]

( definity a surprising announcement from williams , i though he planned to stick around a little longer but i guess not )

N.L. Premier Danny Williams resigns

By CASSANDRA DRUDI, QMI Agency


On the 10-year anniversary of his decision to enter politics, Danny Williams, the popular and feisty premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, announced he will resign early next month.

Williams made the announcement at a press conference Thursday morning.

"Today is one of those surreal days that you think about from time to time ... but you never really allow your mind to go there fully because, as you can see, the reality's just too overwhelming," Williams said, finally allowed to speak after being welcomed by applause, cheering and a chant of "Danny, Danny."

"Orson Wells once said if you want to have a happy ending, you have to know when to end the story," Williams said, before announcing his story as premier will end when he steps down on Dec. 3.

Deputy premier Kathy Dunderdale will be interim premier.

In a nearly half-hour speech, Williams traced through his political history, thanking his colleagues and staff and highlighting his achievements in office and the battles his government won for the province.


"Believe me, I was quite prepared to stay on for another term," he said, "but with the completion of the Lower Churchill deal, it is time for new ideas and new leadership."

Last week, Williams and Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter announced a $6.2-billion deal for a hydro-electric project that will take energy from a plant at the Lower Churchill Falls in Newfoundland to consumers in the province, the Maritimes and New England, realizing a goal that had long been stymied by Quebec's refusal to co-operate by transporting power to markets through its existing transmission system.

Williams's fellow Atlantic premiers wished him well.

"Danny Williams is a great premier and a great friend to Nova Scotia who stood shoulder to shoulder with us on the Offshore Accord and now Lower Churchill," Dexter said in a release. "He made history."

New Brunswick Premier David Alward offered his "heartfelt thanks" to Williams for his efforts on behalf of Atlantic Canadians.

"He is equally well-respected outside of his province, and I am grateful for the opportunities we have had to discuss the importance of regional co-operation as a means to improve the lives of all Atlantic Canadians," he said in a release.

Born and raised in St. John's, Williams, 60, worked as a lawyer and led a consortium of businesspeople that sought the province's first cable television licences.

He became leader of the provincial Progressive Conservatives in 2001, and led the Tories to victory in the 2003 election. They clinched 34 seats and nearly 59% of the vote, ending nearly 15 years of Liberal rule in the province.

In 2007, the margin of victory was even greater — Williams's Conservatives took 43 seats and nearly 70% of the vote.

In office, Williams's popularity in the province soared.

Outside the province, however, Williams's tenure sometimes stirred up controversy.

Quebec deputy premier Nathalie Normandeau acknowledged the difficult relationship between the two provinces during a news conference in Quebec City.

"We know how frank Mr. Williams can be," she said. "We recognized his strong personality over the years.

"We wish Mr. Williams a happy retirement, of course. I think that under the circumstances we have to recognize that Mr. Williams at times hurt our feelings; he shocked us, and in that vein, obviously we hope that in the future, that there is another tone, another mood (from that government)."

In his resignation speech, Williams thanked Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for believing in him. He said it's difficult to leave "the best job on Earth."

He acknowledged that there are those in the media and among his critics who said he was never happy unless he was “taking someone out.”

"Well folks, I'm here to tell you today that those people are right," he said. "There has never been one thing in this province that I can think of that hasn't been worth fighting for for the people of the province."

In December 2004, Williams ordered Canadian flags be taken down from provincial buildings because he was upset that Paul Martin's Liberal government backtracked on its federal election promise to give the province royalties from offshore oil developments. A month later, a deal was made and the flags went back up.

The premier's clashes with the federal government weren't strictly partisan.

Williams launched his ABC campaign — anything but Conservative — during the 2008 federal election because he was angered about ongoing disputes over equalization payments and Prime Minister Stephen Harper's appeal to voters in provinces with more MPs.

In 2006, he took his commitment to his province to the international stage when he appeared on CNN's Larry King Live to debate Paul McCartney and Heather Mills about their campaign to stop the seal hunt.

Earlier this year, Williams made headlines when he travelled to the U.S. for heart surgery.


http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Po.....08886.html

[DavidK]

http://www.draftpowers.ca/

[Cool Blue]

[Daveeire]

The guy knows when to quit - unlike many others who have stayed long past their best before dates. Not mentioning any names but their initials are Gord Campbell, Ed Stelmach, Dalton McGuinty and Jean Charest - among others.

[plantguy]

If you think that a endorsement by group out of province federal Conservatives is going to go over big in Newfoundland then you have no idea how poitics on the rock works. Imagine what would happen if a group of federal Liberals from Ontario tried to insert themselves into the B.C. leadership race. Then imagine that on steroids.

[Habsrwfan]

As much as I like Tim Powers, it's a bit early for this.

Before we can suggest strong CPC supporters for major roles in NL's PC party, we need to spend some time sealing the rift that was made here.

John Crosbie did excellent work here before, and hopefully now we can get a bit more help from him with Williams stepping down.

Also, Harper should make a point of getting a good professional relationship going with Dunderdale for as long as she's Premier of NL. Take this as an opportunity to build bridges where previous bridges were burned.

[kwlafayette]

I suspect that something stinky is heading towards the fan, and he is simply getting out while the getting is good. He damaged federal provincial relations, gave good reason for any business thinking of Newfoundland to think again.

Place will be a lot better off without him.

[plantguy]

I think his retirement is more about his health than anything else. I bet his recent heart problems have convinced him that there is more to life than fighting with the P.M.

[ProudNewfoundlander]

He came, he saw, he conquered. Best to leave before some horse kicks over a lantern ad burns the whole shaggin place down. He always was more of a behind the scenes guy in politics before running himself. I dont think he was someone who really got off on politics despite his popularity. PLus, he left on a very high note. Looks good in a history book.

[Edmund Onward James]

I repeat what I stated in another thread. And timign is everything. Do you know how much fuel there is offshore? Had drilling been allowed without too much interference by blowhard Williams, the oil companies would have made a substantial deal...well if not directly, federally, and just imagine the taxes and transfer funds, especially now since Libya is in turmoil and certain countries will rely on the Saudis.

[Progressive Tory]

The one year anniversary.