Local New Democrat MLAs are supportive of Adrian Dix’s decision to step down as party leader, following a surprise election defeat in May.
Dix announced Wednesday that he would resign from his post after the party has elected a new leader.
Kathy Corrigan, Burnaby-Deer Lake MLA and acting caucus chair for the NDP, said Dix made the best move for the party.
“The caucus and I personally are very comfortable with that,” she told the NOW. “He’s been a uniting force for our caucus, and we are united in supporting him in that decision.”
Corrigan said the NDP will be holding a leadership race in the coming months. Dix has suggested June, but the date will be decided on by the party, she added.
Corrigan attributed the election defeat to a combination of things.
“I agreed with the positive approach we took. I don’t think we did a good job of reminding people in British Columbia of all the things the Liberals had done that weren’t good for this province, and the corruption and wrongdoing, as well,” she said.
When asked about behind-the-scenes reaction to Dix’s resignation, Corrigan reiterated that the caucus was “very supportive.”
“There’s lots of people that would have preferred he go earlier, and there may be those who react that way, and that’s fine, people have their opinions,” she said.
Burnaby-Edmonds MLA Raj Chouhan was sad to hear the news.
“He did a wonderful job to keep the caucus together,” Chouhan said. “He took the full responsibility, and he decided to leave.”
According to Corrigan, George Heyman, John Horgan and Mike Farnworth have expressed interest in considering running.
Burnaby North’s Richard Lee, the only local Liberal in office, was in China and not available for immediate comment.
