After a devastating loss in a snap election, movers started packing out documents Tuesday from the west annex of the legislature, home to the premier’s office. “New Democrats across the province are feeling quite rough about Saturday’s election results,” acknowledged Aileen Machell, former deputy chief of staff for outgoing Premier David Eby. The loss has left many NDP MLAs and staff out of a job and forced the party to reflect on what went so badly wrong. “Clearly, the election call wiped out all the other issues, all the discussions about health care or automobile insurance,” noted longtime MLA Adrian Dix—who won re-election, unlike many others in his party—on Tuesday. The NDP has announced an interim leader will be appointed this week. The main names in the mix are Mike Farnworth, the party’s longest-serving MLA, Dix, and younger members including Bowinn Ma. Whoever it is won’t be allowed to run for the permanent leadership position. “(The party will be looking for) someone above the fray, who can organize effectively a party that is picking up the pieces after a pretty decisive loss here,” said Stewart Prest, a UBC political scientist. On Wednesday, there will be an outgoing NDP caucus meeting. It will be likely a sombre mood at the meeting, and potentially a tense one, with some tough questions about why the election happened in the first place. As for a permanent new leader, a race for that job isn’t expected anytime soon. Among the names being floated as possible candidates are popular Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West and former Housing minister Ravi Kahlon, who did not run for re-election in this campaign. “There is so much talent on the bench, in the current caucus, but also there’s talent outside of the caucus, within the larger movement,” said Machell. A second, smaller meeting is scheduled for Thursday, when the NDP’s new 28-member caucus will begin adjusting to its new role as the official Opposition.
