Embattled Opposition NDP leader Carole James announced Monday morning that she will be stepping down as leader, unable to quell continuing dissent within her party.
The public deserves a functioning opposition, said James. "They're not getting that right now in this province."
Since James kicked Quesnel NDP MLA Bob Simpson from caucus in September for criticizing a speech she made to the Municipalities of B.C. annual convention, party criticism of her leadership has gone public.
In the following weeks, caucus whip Katrine Conroy and caucus chair Norm Macdonald resigned in protest. Others also spoke out against her leadership.
While James received 84 per cent support at a subsequent provincial party council meeting, she was hit hard when veteran NDP MLA Jenny Kwan, part of a so-called baker's dozen of dissenters, called for an immediate leadership convention. An emergency meeting was scheduled for this past Sunday, but was cancelled in favour of individual meetings with the dissenters.
It was followed by James' surprise announcement.
"Over the last two months, we've seen some members of our caucus decide to use their time and energy infighting instead of working on behalf of British Columbians," said James.
She said she'd made efforts to try and resolve the issues, but the infighting continues.
"Right now, at this point in time, my time and energy as leader is consumed with the infighting. And that's not right," said James. "It's not productive, it's not useful and most importantly, it's not serving the people of British Columbia."
Simpson said he was disappointed that James was taking a last shot at the dissenters in her party, who he maintains have legitimate concerns about her lack of policy direction and leadership style.
She has no one to blame but herself for the predicament she has found herself in, said Simpson. "I challenge anyone to prove that she offered a positive, viable, alternative to British Columbians."
Simpson said he has scheduled an announcement on his plans in the near future, although with the resignation of James he will be taking some time to review his decision.
UNBC political scientist Jason Morris observed that James was backed to a cliff. If she disciplined the dissenters she may have lost a third of her party. If she did nothing, she would look like a weak leader. "She jumped or perhaps was pushed, if you feel sorry for her," said Morris, noting that the province's treatment of its political leaders has, historically, been brutal.
The leadership uncertainty - within the NDP and the Liberals - is not necessarily good for the North, said Morris. "Direction for the North? Who the heck knows."
The B.C. Liberals are also in the midst of a leadership change - after Premier Gordon Campbell announced suddenly he was stepping down half way through his third term. A Liberal leadership convention is scheduled for Feb. 26.
James was elected leader of the British Columbia NDP on Nov. 23, 2003.
James is a former president of the B.C. School Trustees Association and a former director of child care policy for the government of British Columbia.
She was elected as the MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill in the 2005 provincial election, when she helped rebuild her party to 33 seats from two the previous election.
