As widely anticipated after losing Saturday’s provincial election, BC Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson has announced he is stepping down as party leader.
Wilkinson made a brief announcement to media at 2 p.m. but did not take questions afterwards.
“There are still roughly half a million votes to count, but it’s clear the NDP will be forming the next government of British Columbia and that John Horgan will continue as Premier. I spoke with John Horgan yesterday and congratulated him on his successful election campaign,” Wilkinson said.
“Leading the BC Liberals has been a great honour, but now it’s time for me to make room for someone else to take over this role. I’ve asked the party president to work with the party executive to immediately determine the timeline for a leadership selection process, to determine my successor as leader.”
Wilkinson will step down as soon as a new leader is elected. That process will start after the final votes are counted by Elections BC, which is expected to be done by Nov. 16.
Pending any changes in tight races, the BC Liberals will have lost 14 seats from this provincial election, including 12 in the Lower Mainland, the party’s only seat on Vancouver Island (Parksville-Qualicum), and one in the southern Interior (Boundary-Similkameen).
Wilkinson was criticized during the campaign for slow reactions to controversial comments from several candidates, including North-Vancouver Seymour candidate Jane Thornthwaite and Chilliwack-Kent candidate Laurie Throness. Throness resigned from the party after comments comparing free birth control to eugenics, and Wilkinson was further criticized for not making a statement by removing Throness himself.
Wilkinson did retain his own seat in the riding of Vancouver-Quilchena; with 6,549 votes he has more than doubled the vote count of NDP candidate Heather McQuillan. He did not immediately make clear if he plans to step down as MLA.
The BC Liberals elected Wilkinson as party leader in 2018 replacing Christy Clark after she resigned when the NDP and Greens formed the government after the 2017 election.
Wilkinson won a six-person leadership race, not winning any of the first four ballots before winning the fifth and final ballot, against former Surrey mayor Dianne Watts. The leadership race included Kamloops-South Thompson member Todd Stone.
NDP Leader Responds
In a statement, NDP leader John Horgan thanked Wilkinson for his service and dedication to the people of British Columbia in his role as Opposition leader.
“I’ve done that job, and I’ve often said it is the toughest job in politics. Mr. Wilkinson led the official opposition through a very challenging time for our province. He ran a spirited campaign and I wish him the best in the future,” he said. “Mr. Wilkinson has made our province and our civic life stronger by offering his ideas and his vision for our province. We are all better for his contributions.”
“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank all candidates from all parties who put their names forward in the election. Our democracy requires brave people to put their hands up, no matter the result.”
