Four B.C. Liberal MLAs announced they will not be seeking reelection last week, but it's nothing out of the ordinary, according to Burnaby North MLA Richard Lee.
The local Liberal said it's normal to have MLAs reconsider running.
"I believe two elections ago, there were about 17 MLAs not running in the following election - that was in 2005. So, I think it's normal for people to consider if they want to run again," he said.
Finance Minister Kevin Falcon was the first to go last week, citing family reasons, and George Abbott, John Les and Mary McNeil followed shortly thereafter.
Lee didn't buy into pundit speculation that the MLAs' departures signify a rift in the party or doubt in Premier Christy Clark's leadership.
"I don't believe there's a split in the party. I haven't heard about that. After the leadership campaign, everyone united around the leader," Lee said. "(It's for) personal reasons. It's not because of the party."
Abbott has been in politics for more than 30 years, Lee pointed out, and McNeil has 13 grandchildren.
As for who will get their posts, Clark is expected to announce a cabinet shuffle this week.
Of the four who recently announced they won't run in 2013, only Falcon resigned from his cabinet post. All four will still fulfill their MLA duties till the writ is dropped for the 2013 election.
There are 10 Liberal candidates who have already secured nominations in their ridings, 11 more will hold nomination meetings in early September, and more are expected to come forward, according to the party.
Burnaby-Lougheed MLA Harry Bloy does not plan to run in the 2013 election, but he did not respond to an interview request from the NOW by deadline.
