B.C. NDP leader challenges dissidents

James, who is facing opposition at party council meetings this weekend, took another blow Friday with the resignation of her caucus whip. But the NDP leader said she won't back down without a fight.

"Yes, I am drawing a line in the sand," she said.

James suggested she will rethink her future as leader after the meetings, which will include a vote on several motions that question her performance.

"Our party has done this before and somebody has to stand up and say enough, and that's what I'm doing. I'm saying enough," said James, who admitted being angry about the turmoil that has enveloped the New Democrats even as the governing Liberals face their own division.

Liberal Premier Gordon Campbell is resigning over the disastrous introduction of the harmonized sales tax, forcing the party into a leadership vote on Feb. 26. Yet the New Democrats have been unable to capitalize on the Liberal disarray.

Kootenay MLAs step down

James said the NDP must stop its in-fighting.

"Do they want to continue to tear each other apart?" James told reporters. "The public of British Columbia must be scratching their head about politics right now. They must be wondering about what is going on."

James made the comments after MLA Katrine Conroy announced she was resigning as caucus whip after five years in the post.

Conroy would not fully discuss the reasons for her resignation other than saying, "I feel I no longer have the support of the leader and the caucus."

The Kootenay West MLA joins fellow Kootenay New Democrat Norm Macdonald, who resigned as caucus chairman over James's decision to expel caucus member Bob Simpson for critical comments he made about her leadership.

Conroy said she tried for six weeks to find a way to bring Simpson back into the NDP fold.

Kwan not voicing support

Three New Democrats — Jenny Kwan, Lana Popham and Claire Trevena — attended Conroy's press conference in support of her. Kwan and Popham would not declare their support for James as leader.

"Events will unfold as they will," said Kwan, a high-profile Vancouver MLA.

Popham said she regretted that Simpson was no longer part of the NDP caucus.

James ejected Simpson from the party caucus after he publicly criticized her speech to municipal leaders at a provincial convention in Whistler. Simpson followed up his criticisms with comments about James's leadership, saying she doesn't appear to have what it takes to be premier.

Other New Democrats said Friday the Simpson matter is still a burning issue within caucus.

Robin Austin, MLA for Skeena, said the matter is unresolved and he would not state whether he supports James's continued leadership.

"I'm not going to comment on whether there's a rebellion," he said.

Vancouver Island New Democrat Doug Routley also declined to comment on James's leadership. Routley's constituency association, however, has voted in favour of a full leadership convention at the party's convention next November.

The NDP leader did get a boost earlier Friday when several party stalwarts, including former premier Mike Harcourt and party firebrand Joy MacPhail, issued an open letter of support. New Democrats Shane Simpson, John Horgan, Raj Chouhan, Kathy Corrigan and Harry Bains also voiced support.

"Some of my colleagues need to look at their poli science 101 books and reflect on the future of the NDP," said Horgan. "I support Carole James."