BC NDP to announce new leader in September after four-day vote

B.C.’s New Democrats will announce who is replacing former party leader Adrian Dix on Sept. 28 following a four-day voting period.

“We have set in place rules for a modern, fair, one-member one-vote leadership election. I’m looking forward to an exciting leadership election with great candidates presenting a positive vision for our province,” said BC NDP president Craig Keating.

Members can start voting on Sept. 24 until Sept. 27 when the party’s chief electoral officer will tabulate the results.

The winner will be announced at an evening event the next day.

The deadline to become a voting member of the party is June 26.

So far, no candidates have announced plans to run for the position.  

Dix announced his resignation in September following the party’s surprising defeat by the BC Liberals in the May provincial election.

Christy Clark’s Liberals staged an epic come-from-behind win on May 14 when they erased a 20-point NDP lead in the polls and gave the Liberals a fourth consecutive mandate.

Afterwards, when the shock of the outcome had worn off, New Democrats began to publicly question the party’s strategy during the campaign and Dix admitted two major mistakes. 

Dix was criticized for refusing until very late in the campaign to respond to the Liberals’ relentless attack ads.

Some of the party’s labour wing were also frustrated with his decision to oppose the proposed Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion.