Former premiers should shut up and go away: Williams

ST. JOHN'S - Call it the battle of the Tory titans - past and present.

Brian Peckford says the Williams government seems "a little sensitive" about comments he made earlier this week. The former Newfoundland premier was surprised his comments had drawn "such a quick and personal response" from the government.

"I'm just a little bit taken aback by the sensitivity of the government on the few comments I made," Peckford said Tuesday.

"I'm just making a comment on the global situation as it relates to fishery matters."

He figures the government has enjoyed recent offshore successes and it's time to focus similar efforts on the fishery.

"It would seem that, given the depopulation of rural Newfoundland, we should be making extra effort to try to forge something with the federal government so that we can have some vision for the future as relates to both the fishery and certain parts, at least, of rural Newfoundland," Peckford said.

Premier Danny Williams suggests that former premiers should "shut up and go away" once they leave office, and not criticize incumbent governments.

"I find it sad when former premiers comment on current administrations," Williams said.

"I pray to God that I never do that when I finish politics.

"I certainly hope that I can make a commitment to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador that I won't provide gratuitous comments or opinions on someone who succeeds you - different times, different circumstances."

On Monday, Peckford told Transcontinental Media it's a mistake for the province to focus on the offshore industry at the expense all else, including the fishery and forestry industries.

Finance Minister Tom Marshall responded Tuesday, saying Peckford was wrong and that the former premier had left the province when he could no longer make tough decisions.
Reporters asked Williams about Peckford's comments following the swearing-in ceremony of three MHAs at Government House on Tuesday.

"I'm disappointed," Williams said of Peckford's commentary. "I think there's a point in time when politicians should move on."

He said he tries not to comment on the actions of previous administrations, and won't critique his successor whenever he leaves office.

"Hopefully, I can live up to what I've said, and when I get out of politics, then I'll shut up and go away," Williams said.