NDP Proposes May, 2014 Leadership Vote To Replace Dix

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NDP leader Adrian Dix plans to stay in the opposition leader’s seat for the springsession of the B.C. legislature.

VANCOUVER – The provincial executiveof the NDP has proposed May25, 2014 for a leadership vote to selecta replacement for AdrianDix. The party executivepicked the date, almostexactly three years beforethe next scheduled B.C.election, to avoid municipalelections set for next falland a federal electionexpected in 2015. That is tomake it more practical formunicipal politicians andMPs to consider whetherthey want to jump to provincial politics,reported Surrey Leader. Dixannounced in September he would stayon as leader until a successor is chosen,and at the time he said that would takeplace before the middle of next year.The May vote was picked after discussionswith the party’s currentMLAs and local constituencypresidents, but it still mustbe approved by the NDPprovincial council.No candidate has formallyannounced, but several areconsidering a run. Theyinclude veteran PortCoquitlam MLA MikeFarnworth, who finishedsecond to Dix in 2011, andcaucus newcomers Judy Darcy, GeorgeHeyman and David Eby, all of whomrepresent Vancouver constituencies. Vancouver Island MLA Rob Fleming andSkeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullenhave also said they are weighing theirchances.Juan de Fuca MLA John Horgan, whofinished third behind Dix in the 2011vote, announced last week he will notmake another run for the top job.Horgan said he wants to see a new generationof leadership get the attention ofmembers after the party’s upset loss inthe May 2013 election.The B.C. NDP’s next party convention isset for Nov. 15-17 in Vancouver.