Ian Paton said it was unexpected.
That's how the Delta South MLA described the situation when the Liberal caucus was informed its party leader and former premier Christy Clark would be resigning effective Aug. 4.
Clark broke the news to her colleagues at a retreat in Penticton before going public in a prepared media statement last Friday morning. She will also be stepping down as MLA for Kelowna-West.
"I think she sat down and discussed things with her family and made the decision at our caucus retreat," said Paton.
"We were all very disappointed that Christy Clark chose to step down as leader of our party, but we were all very united and thankful for the wonderful work that she has done for the past six years to put this province in such excellent economic shape. When we left Penticton we were very united as a caucus that we will continue to work hard to keep up the good work and press forward with all our ideas and be a very tough opposition."
Prior to leaving the retreat, the caucus also appointed Langley East MLA Rich Coleman as interim caucus leader.
Liberal Party president Sharon White said in a statement the party has 28 days to decide how a leadership vote will take place.
Clark was the province's 35th premier, but her sixyear tenure came to an end when her minority government lost a confidence vote in late June, which brought an end to 16 years of Liberal rule in B.C.
"I love our party and our province with all my heart - and it's been the honour of a lifetime to serve as leader and premier," said Clark. "Together we have achieved so much - winning a comeback election victory that almost nobody thought possible, positioning British Columbia firmly as Canada's leading economy, and laying a strong foundation for future generations to achieve their dreams here. I'm excited to see the renewed engagement that will strengthen and energize our party as we chose the next leader."
When Clark officially resigns this Friday, it will drop the Liberal seat total in the legislature to 42. The NDP minority government has 41, but it has the support of the Green's threemember caucus.
NDP Premier John Horgan is expected to recall the legislature in early September.
He has six months to call a by-election to fill the soon to be vacant seat in the riding of Kelowna-West.
He has not indicated when he will call that byelection.
