Bond a frontrunner for BC Liberal interim leader as Wilkinson steps down: report

The leader of British Columbia’s Liberal party is stepping down before his successor is chosen, following last month’s election that saw Premier John Horgan’s NDP win a decisive majority government.

Andrew Wilkinson announced earlier he would quit the party’s top job as soon as a replacement was selected, but today he announced in a Facebook post that it’s time for him to leave the role after close to three years.

Wilkinson says the party is working toward a leadership race that will define its positions and profile heading into the next election. He says he welcomes the selection of an interim leader by the party’s caucus as it looks to rebuild and renew, starting with what Wilkinson called “tough conversations and sincere reflections.”

Global BC’s Richard Zussman is reporting Shirley Bond and Peter Milobar are the frontrunners for the interim leader position, while Kevin Falcon has emerged as the favourite for the permanent leadership role.