In his first one-on-one interview since the BC NDP’s crushing defeat in the provincial election, Adrian Dix said he’s been keeping a low profile while reflecting on where things went wrong.
Extended video: What’s next for Adrian Dix
The party leader was at the helm of one of the most shocking upsets in B.C. political history Tuesday with Christy Clark and the BC Liberals cruising to victory, snapping up 50 out of 85 seats in the Legislature.
The NDP won only 33 seats, three fewer than they entered the election with, despite consistently polling higher then the Liberals in the weeks leading up to the election.
“It’s obviously immensely disappointing, so what I’m doing now is just talking, phoning all of our candidates,” Dix said. “Clearly we’ve got lots of work to do, and I’ll be responding in kind of a formal sense to all of you next week to start that process.”
Asked whether he’d continue as party leader, Dix replied, “I’m still the leader of the NDP. That’s right.”
He was back at work at NDP headquarters in downtown Vancouver Thursday and told CTV reporter Rob Brown he’s been reluctant to speak publicly since the loss.
“I like to only talk when it improves the silence Rob, and I think after a major effort like this, and a result that comes in, it requires some actual reflection, and that generally doesn’t happen from me when my lips are moving,” he said.
“It’s obviously disappointing; you don’t go into an election campaign for second…We worked very hard, I’m very proud of the team, so I want to talk to them. I want to hear what they have to say.”
Dix said the party has the opportunity to learn lessons from the election results “both good and bad.”
With files from CTV British Columbia's Rob Brown
