Wilkinson stepping down as Liberal leader immediately

Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson and Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond.

After initially saying he would stay on until the BC Liberals have chosen a new leader, Andrew Wilkinson has decided to step down immediately.

Wilkinson announced shortly after the Liberal election loss last month that he would step down as leader of the party.

“It is now time for me to leave the role of Opposition Leader, as the voters of British Columbia have made their preference clear,” he said in a Facebook post Friday. “In doing so, I welcome the selection of an interim leader from our caucus and will fully support her or him as our caucus prepares to act as the Official Opposition once again.”

Suggestions are that the interim leader could be either Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond or Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar.

“My past role, and the role of the new interim leader, requires a great deal of humility and a willingness to listen to people from all over B.C., to learn from them so that our work reflects the dreams and desires of the people of our province,” Wilkinson said. “Indigenous communities will need to be engaged as partners on projects and initiatives that will bring prosperity to everyone who lives here. That work must now be undertaken with renewed energy and commitment, so that our caucus and our party can fully reflect the views of everyone who calls this land their home, and work with them to provide a prosperous, respectful, and healthy future for everyone.”

The party could name an interim leader as soon as today.

New conversations are happening about what is important to people now,” Wilkinson said. “Things like access to housing that works for the different ways that people live their lives. Affordable and efficient transportation and quality healthcare must be a priority for every government going forward. Equality and opportunity for everyone and protection of LGTBQ2S rights need to be integral parts of policies and plans throughout government, because these are fundamental to the fairness and equality that we all seek.

Our party, the interim leader, and our members have a lot of work to do. We need to rebuild and renew – and that starts with tough conversations and sincere reflections.”

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