N.L. Premier Danny Williams set to leave politics

[Nfld Sapper]

Sad day for us Newfoundlanders.......


N.L. Premier Danny Williams set to leave politics
Last Updated: Thursday, November 25, 2010 | 11:35 AM NT .CBC News

Danny Williams, who was first elected premier of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2003, is leaving politics within two weeks, CBC News has confirmed.

Premier Danny Williams, who is leaving politics within two weeks, speaks in St. John's on Nov. 5. (CBC)

Deputy Premier Kathy Dunderdale will be the acting premier until a provincial election next fall.

Williams had announced earlier that he will be making a statement Thursday regarding his political future.

Last week, Williams signed a deal between Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia to develop the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project in Labrador.

For the past few weeks, there have been persistent rumours that Williams would sign the deal and then quit by early 2011.

Williams has called the Lower Churchill deal his legacy project, the last major initiative he set as a goal when he entered politics nearly a decade ago.

Earlier this year, he underwent heart surgery in the United States.

Williams has served as Progressive Conservative leader since 2001, and as Opposition leader before becoming premier Oct. 21, 2003.

Williams studied political science and economics at Memorial University. He was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship in 1969, received a degree in arts in law from Oxford University in England, and returned to Canada to earn a bachelor of law degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax.

 

[Nfld Sapper]

BREAKINGremier Danny Williams to make announcement about his political future
Published on November 25th, 2010
The Canadian Press



Premier Danny Williams of Newfoundland and Labrador will make an announcement about his political future later today amid a media report that he is stepping down.

His office issued an unexpected statement saying he would make an announcement at the legislature.

No other details were provided in the brief news release, but CBC reported he will step down as premier.

Williams was acclaimed the provincial Conservative leader in 2001 and was elected premier in 2003, leading the party to a landslide victory.

The 60-year-old was re-elected with an even larger majority in October 2007, buoyed by high-profile clashes with the offshore oil industry and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Earlier this year, he underwent heart surgery in Florida and gradually returned to a full work schedule as he recovered.

Before he entered public life, Williams was a criminal lawyer and a cable TV mogul.

Williams, a Rhodes scholar, earned the nickname ”Danny Millions” after selling Cable Atlantic for $232 million in 2000.

But he also took great care in fashioning his image as an every man, donating his annual legislative salary to a local charitable foundation.



Danny Williams resignation is effective Dec. 3
The Telegram
Published on November 25th, 2010  

Premier Danny Williams is leaving politics.

He announced this morning that with the completion of the Lower Churchill deal he felt it was time for him to move on.

He said the decision wasn't easy.

"How can you walk away from the greatest job on earth?" he said.

The resignation is effective Dec. 3.

An emotional Williams made the announcement late this morning in the lobby of the Confederation Building in front of hundreds of people and with his caucus behind him.

In the interim Kathy Dunerdale will become premier.

She'll be the first female premier in the province's history.

More to come.

 

[GAP]

He's been entertaining and effective, especially when he was poking sticks into the eyes of others, and will be sorely missed by Newfoundland and Labrador. Probably not by Quebec and the Feds....

 

[Sapplicant]

He's been entertaining and effective, especially when he was poking sticks into the eyes of others, and will be sorely missed by Newfoundland and Labrador. Probably not by Quebec and the Feds....

Others like Paul and Heather?

Here's part 2.

 

[ballz]

You missed part 3, every Newfie's favorite part ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmL-oSm5G3c

 

[PMedMoe]

Others like Paul and Heather?

To be sure, it's easy to poke sticks in the eyes of those who are completely oblivious..... 

 

[Sapplicant]

You missed part 3, every Newfie's favorite part ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmL-oSm5G3c

Part 4 is nice too, hahaha.  ;D

 

[ballz]

"Harper says Danny Williams is one of Newfoundland's most successful premiers"

http://www.thewesternstar.com/News/Local/2010-11-26/article-1997129/Harper-says-Danny-Williams-is-one-of-Newfoundlands-most-successful-premiers/1

SAINT JOHN, N.B. - Prime Minister Stephen Harper says Danny Williams will be remembered as one of Newfoundland and Labrador's most successful premiers.

In his first public comments on the resignation of Williams, Harper said he doesn't know what the premier's future plans are.

But Harper said whatever Williams does, he will perform his next role with "great competency."

At one point the two Conservative leaders were engaged in a bitter feud over the province's ability to retain offshore oil revenues, but relations have since thawed.

Williams will leave politics next Friday.

Can't get much better praise than getting it from one of your biggest opponents...

 

[The Bread Guy]

Why not, according to this QMI/Sun Media column:

.... The premiership would be his for the taking and Hillier is said to be seriously considering it.

He still has a keen desire for public service but is also wise enough to know he risks significant harm to his current excellent public image by mixing it up in the rough-and-tumble world of politics.

Hillier is great on leadership but the knock on him is he was never much of a policy guy. Where is he on health care? On equalization?

And while everyone knows Hillier loves the Toronto Maple Leafs, no one’s quite sure if he wears a blue or red jersey when it comes to politics.

Sources who worked with him during his military career tell me Hillier once described his political views in private conversation as “to the right of Attila the Hun” but in public he has tried to maintain his political neutrality and independence.

Still, he, too, is one of those outsized Newfoundland personalities that would enliven our national political life. And our national political class could certainly use his candour, wit, and good judgment.

 

[ballz]

If Danny were to have a go at PM, he'd be wearing red I'm pretty damn sure...

 

[GAP]

If Danny were to wear Red....first there would be massive bloodletting within the party....an awful lot of university presidents would be created.....and yes, he would be better than Iggy...

 

[jollyjacktar]

They gave him a nice send off on 22 minutes this week.  I thought he was a good sport and it made me have a good laugh.

here is a link to that episode http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Shows/22_Minutes/Season_18/1597221920/ID=1675964975

 

[Ignatius J. Reilly]

He was, in my opinion, most assuredly one of the most engaging and resourceful provincial politicians Canada has seen for quite some time.