B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell has had his say -- now he's bracing for what his party will have to say.

A day after Campbell announced a 15-per-cent personal income tax cut in an evening televised address, Campbell said he's aware the party might have something to say about his political future at its annual convention next month.

The three-term premier is currently at the low-point in his political career, with public opinion polls registering in the single digits and people inside and outside of the Liberal party sniping at his leadership.

"Obviously we have a party convention coming up in November, and there'll be a leadership review at that time, but I would like to continue on and continue working to make sure we get through these challenging economic times," said Campbell.

"That's what I committed to in 2009 and in spite of the fact that it's tough, I think it's important to keep going and I think we'll have to work hard to re-earn British Columbians' trust, but you do that with actions, not words," he said.

Former Liberal cabinet minister Blair Lekstrom, who quit the Liberal cabinet and caucus last June over the harmonized sales tax, said Campbell has been a great leader, but he should be looking to his own retirement.

"Here's a guy who's been premier of our province for a decade, but I think the important fact is that he's done a good job. But every leader reaches a time to pass that torch, and I think maybe it's just gone a bit beyond that time now," Lekstrom said.

Campbell hasn't been acting like a politician on his last legs lately.

He shuffled his cabinet, imported a new chief adviser from the private sector, hired a new press secretary and booked television time to tell British Columbians he wants to build a strong private sector economy that allows the government to invest in health, education and social programs.

"More people at work paying lower income tax is better for the economy and for public revenues than fewer people at work paying higher income taxes," Campbell said.

He said his tax cut will mean British Columbians earning up to $130,000 will pay the lowest personal income taxes in Canada. He said it is the second largest tax cut in B.C. history, next to his government's 25-per-cent income tax cut announced immediately after his government was first elected in 2001.

The 15-per-cent tax cut applies up to $72,293 of annual earnings, guaranteeing all British Columbians a maximum tax saving of $616.

Opposition New Democrat Leader Carole James called the tax cut irresponsible, the actions of a desperate politician clinging to power.

Canadian Union of Public Employees B.C. president Barry O'Neill said it was almost comical watching Campbell trying to get British Columbians to support the HST and his leadership with their own tax dollars.

He said the show's $240,000 price tag cost taxpayers about $10,000 per minute.

Campbell said the government did a poor job introducing the HST to British Columbians, but he has plans over the next year to sell the HST as a job creator and investment friendly tool.

British Columbians vote next September in a referendum that decides whether or not the province keeps the 12-per-cent combined tax which has been in effect since July 1.

"I think that what they'll discover is (the HST) makes a big difference to the person that's working in the forest mill," said Campbell.

"It makes a big difference to the person who's in mining or the person who's in film or the person who's in export and manufacturing."

Campbell said he has spoken casually with people who have told him the HST has helped their business, but he couldn't immediately provide their names. He said he is preparing a more detailed accounting of B.C. businesses and people benefiting from the HST.

Campbell also focused on public education during his TV address, saying a thriving private sector economy will help the government modernize public education in British Columbia.

Education Minister George Abbott said the Liberals will spend millions improving early education, especially the academic performance of elementary school students.

One out of every five Grade 4 B.C. students doesn't read or do math at expected Grade 4 levels, said Abbott.

Over the next five years, the government will ensure every Grade 4 student reads and does math at the expected Grade 4 level, he said.

Abbott said only four B.C. school districts -- Southeast Kootenay, Arrow Lakes, Revelstoke and Fort Nelson -- currently meet the Grade 4 standards.

James said the Grade 4 results are eye opening and indicate a failure of Liberal education policies over the past decade, leading Abbott to label the NDP leader's comments as "unfortunate political rhetoric."