The B.C. Liberals have aired their first TV ad of the May 12 election campaign.

The ad, entitled Keep B.C. Strong, aired Sunday during the Juno awards broadcast. It intercuts shots of Premier Gordon Campbell with scenes of bustling economic activity: trucks rolling, towboats towing, hospitals and airports expanding.

“We’ve come a long way in B.C. over the last eight years,” says a male announcer. “From being the weakest economy in Canada to one of the strongest.…

“In the current global economy, we need to continue to build confidence and stability to keep B.C. moving forward. On May 12, vote for strong leadership and a proven team in government and help keep B.C. strong.”

The 30-second ad features six separate clips of Campbell – a surprise, given that in an Angus Reid poll released last week, only 30 per cent of respondents agreed with the statement that “Gordon Campbell should be re-elected.” A majority – 54 per cent – said it was time for a new premier.

Campbell has consistently trailed Opposition leader Carole James in personal approval polling. For almost two years, as many British Columbians have said they disapprove of Campbell’s performance as have approved.

Tom Barrett is a contributing editor at The Tyee.