David Eby stepped down as the leader of the B.C. NDP Saturday, after voters delivered a resounding rebuke of his snap election call. “This is obviously something I do with a very heavy heart. But it is time for new leadership within our party,” Eby said. In a somber concession speech, Eby said he wished premier-designate Lorne Doerkson his best—and that he meant that “sincerely.” Eby’s remarks came after the B.C. Conservatives swept to a decisive majority, relegating the New Democrats to Opposition status for the first time in nearly a decade. “This is obviously not the result that any of us wanted. A number of my colleagues, some of the hardest working MLAs I know for their communities, were not elected tonight. It breaks my heart, and I accept full responsibility for that outcome,” Eby said. Eby was re-elected in his Vancouver Point Grey riding, where he won a close contest with the Conservative challenger. Eby said he was proud of the work the NDP has done since 2017 and that serving as premier was the honour of his lifetime. Still, he acknowledged he was looking forward to having a lower profile and lighter workload. “My family has paid a very significant cost for this work, and I am keen to spend some time with my kids, with my wife, with our friends, and not worry if someone is videotaping me while I am singing karaoke,” he said. “Thank you, friends, for everything.” Political scientist Stewart Prest said the snap election call and subsequent defeat will likely define Eby’s political legacy. “This was an avoidable election. He didn’t need to do this for another two years. And indeed, nobody in the province wanted him to do this,” Prest said. “He alone ultimately bears responsibility for the NDP having two fewer years in power than they were scheduled to have, and I think that is going to leave a mark.”
