Former NDP leader Gary Burrill will not run for re-election

Preacher-turned-politician Gary Burrill has announced he will sit out the next election rather than try to keep his seat as the MLA for Halifax Chebucto.

Not surprisingly, the 70-year-old United Church minister drew from a well-known section of the Bible — Ecclesiastes — to explain his decision to leave political life.

"To everything there is a season," said Burrill. "If you find the right moment, things fall into place in a good way. If you don't, things have a tendency to turn sour.

"I think this is the right moment."

Burrill is the only NDP politician to announce plans not to run when the next election is called. Three PC MLAs — Keith Bain, Pat Dunn and Steve Craig — are also not reoffering. 

In a message sent to constituents Thursday, Burrill expressed gratitude for the support he has received.

"I am abidingly thankful to the hundreds of people who have helped in my elections," wrote Burrill. "And I do not forget that, when I found myself in [Alexa McDonough's] 1980 situation, as NDP leader without a seat, in 2016, it was Halifax Chebucto who gave me a place in the People's House.

"I look forward now to the work of the coming months, as we prepare the groundwork together for the second NDP government in Nova Scotia."

Burrill said he intends to continue in the job until the next election. He said he expects to work alongside the candidate chosen to represent the party in the riding during the campaign.

'Tireless dedication'

NDP Leader Claudia Chender publicly thanked Burrill "for his tireless dedication to the work of making our province better for all Nova Scotians."

She called him "a brilliant and dedicated representative" in the legislature.

During Burrill's nearly 12 years in the House, he has distinguished himself by coming up with colourful turns of phrase to describe governments and their work.