James steps down as NDP leader

Tom Fletcher - BC Local News Published: December 06, 2010 11:00 AM
Fighting back tears, Carole James has resigned as leader of the B.C. NDP after weeks of infighting among her MLAs.  The announcement comes a day after an emergency caucus meeting was scheduled but abruptly called off, while private discussions continued between James loyalists and the dissenting faction led by Vancouver-Mt. Pleasant MLA Jenny Kwan.  James told reporters an interim leader will be chosen, likely in January. "I know there are individuals who will see this as a win for the bullies," James said, urging her critics in the party to come together under a new leader. She said some of the 13 dissident MLAs still refused to support her after private talks on the weekend.  The MLAs dubbed the Baker's Dozen had been identified as opposed to James' continued leadership when they attended a Nov. 20 NDP provincial council meeting without donning yellow scarves in support of the leader. James had received 84 per cent support at that meeting but the breakaway faction left her without the backing of 40 per cent of her caucus.

Political analyst David Schreck said the NDP is "bitterly divided" and Liberal governments are likely "for a very long time to come" as a result of the schism.  "I don't see any hope for a new leader to repair the damage that has been done," Schreck said.  James said this morning her resignation will be effective as soon as an interim leader can be chosen.  Schreck said the obvious potential contenders to replace James as NDP leader include MLAs Adrian Dix, Mike Farnworth, John Horgan, Maurine Karagianis and Dawn Black – as well as other party members who don't currently hold seats in the Legislature.  "The problem for the party will be whether anyone wants to take over this mess," he said.  Schreck said the anti-James dissidents don't have a common thread beyond believing the party should had more luck in exploiting the BC Liberals' recent woes.  "They can't point to a policy or any particular issue that divides them," he said. "They just decided Carole's coattails weren't long enough and they wanted her out, thinking a miracle worker was out there."