By Armchair Mayor

ROTHENBURGER: Will Terry Lake run in the next federal election?

Feb 4, 2019 | 6:41 AM

KAMLOOPS — THERE’S A WIDESPREAD ASSUMPTION that Terry Lake is going to run for the Liberals in this year’s federal election. Let’s look at that.

What goes into such a decision?

There is, of course, the effect on family, the grind of the weekly commute to and from Ottawa, the stress, the taunting by political enemies and social media bullies, the issue of what to do about one’s current job. And can the local party mount a worthy campaign?

As Lake sometimes jokes, “I used to be somebody.” Now that he’s no longer a B.C. cabinet minister, he still gets his name in the news once in awhile on issues concerning the marijuana industry, but he doesn’t have nearly the profile he had when he was in office.

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Politics, it’s often acknowledged, is addictive. For some, there’s nothing else like being in the limelight of leadership.

When Lake left elected office he didn’t leave politics. He’s still connected. It might have been telling that he received not one but two on-stage hugs from Justin Trudeau when the prime minister was it town. No simple handshakes for them.

Clearly, the federal Liberals would love to have him as a “star” candidate and there’s little question he’d win the nomination, likely by acclamation.

But there was a reason he left politics. He believed the time had come to move on, and he’s got a stake in a major new Canadian industry that he’d have to divorce himself from.

I think Terry’s being completely honest when he says he hasn’t made up his mind. But as he ponders it, he’ll remember that politics is something everybody should try once or twice, then get on with real life.

So my bet is, the answer will be no. We shall see.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and newspaper editor. He publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.