B.C. premier says public debate led to resignation

B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell says it was the public's focus on his sinking popularity and not a caucus revolt that led him to consider resigning.

During a news conference in Vancouver on Thursday morning, Campbell spoke to the media about his decision the day before to resign.

Campbell said that after returning from a family trip to Los Angeles on Monday, he spoke to his wife about stepping down.

On Thursday, Campbell reiterated his previous statements that he felt the focus of public debate was too much on him and his political fortunes and not enough on what was good for the province, despite his attempts to turn the tide with an income tax cut last week.

"I believe it was too much focus on one person and not enough focus on what was best for the province," he said.

No internal revolt: Campbell

The media had been reporting Campbell faced a revolt with in his caucus from dissident MLAs who had signed a letter asking him to leave, but Campbell said he never saw any such letter.

"No, I had no letter, nothing at all. As I said with regard to that, I've always felt very supported by caucus."

"It's important for me and British Columbia to move forward critically. It's what's best for the province," he said. "It's important we come out of this economic downturn even stronger."

"I'm not doing this for any reason except to make the province a better place," he said. "I've had 9½ years and it's been a pretty incredible opportunity to serve."

Still premier for now

Campbell also repeated past statements that he fumbled the introduction of the HST, but said again that before the May 2009 election, he had no hidden agenda to introduce the controversial tax. It was introduced after the election.

"I think we should have done a much better job explaining that," he said.

Campbell said he plans to stay on as premier and head of the B.C. Liberal Party until a new leader is chosen at a yet-unscheduled leadership convention.

"It's clearly time for a change. I think it will be a very exciting time for the party. We will get back to doing what's important for the province," he said. "I'm looking forward to the leadership campaign."

"I'll be premier until the party selects a new leader," he said. "I'm not expecting to launch a whole series of new initiatives but we have a whole bunch of initiatives already underway."

Campbell also talked about the strain his political life had taken on his family.

"I want a chance to see some of the folks I've missed, like my grandson," he said. "When you come to public life, you take the good with the bad."

Following the news conference in downtown Vancouver, Campbell headed for a Liberal caucus in Richmond with the party's cabinet ministers and MLAs.

None of the Liberals heading into the meeting would comment on whether they would run for the leadership of the party, but Education Minister George Abbott said the leadership race would be a chance to renew the party.

"We have an opportunity to present a re-branded face to B.C. and I think it is important that we do that," he said.