In Canada's most politically polarized province which has had more than its fair share of sullied leadership, the people of British Columbia are again faced with the question - is our premier fit enough to lead

Premier Gordon 'martini' Campbell says yes, his caucus agrees, the mainstream media says he should stay, the NDP and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) say no and the general public is split down the middle.

The premier's misdemeanour in Maui caused by three martinis, several glasses of wine and then driving in an erratic manner on a narrow two-lane highway now threatens the grand Liberal agenda to turn the province's economic fortunes around.

Should he go or should he stay is and will be the question that dominates B.C. politics for the next little while, instead of the critical issues involving jobs, economy, trade, health care and the environment.

It is because of this and the unforgiving nature of B.C. a place, as a pundit put it, where people migrate to for the weather and leave because of the political climate - that Campbell has to seriously consider quitting active politics.

Yes he had drinks during his holidays and then made the mistake of going behind the wheel.

Very few of us have not done this.

Unfortunately for Campbell, he is the head of the Province of B.C. and the infamous Maui police mug shots are going to dog him for the rest of his political career.

His tearful 'mea culpa' on his 55th birthday was courageous but was tinged with the trademark arrogance Campbell has shown B.C. since sweeping 77 of the 79 seats during the last election.

Insisting he had done wrong, Campbell wanted the world to know that the offence was committed during his own personal time and not while on state business.

An unnecessary reference created by juvenile spin-doctors.

The landmine remark already has the rejuvenated opposition screaming ? 'Is he saying that it is ok to drink and drive on your own time'

Campbell has done a lot for British Columbia since his days as mayor of Vancouver.

His bold agenda shows long term promise for a province that has been cuckolded by the labour movement.

So should Campbell be judged by his very public mistake

Definitely not.

But this world is not fair and he will carry the ugly descriptive caboose ? "Campbell, who was caught drunk driving, said..." - for the rest of his political career.

In the short term, his sentencing and possible community service that may include cleaning up the rubbish on the beaches of Maui will be a low point for B.C. and a political nightmare.

The Liberal party has to realise that their agenda for a changed British Columbia is bigger than Gordon Campbell.

The party was elected to set right the ship of state that had been battered by the gales of ineptitude for almost a decade.

The Liberal party has a job to do.

If it has to be done without Gordon Campbell, so be it.