Four B.C. New Democrat riding associations have now formally voted to hold a full-fledged leadership convention next year, ensuring that the thorny issue will go to an internal vote at a party meeting later this month.
The latest riding association to publicly question the leadership of Carole James is Nanaimo-North Cowichan, located on Vancouver Island -- traditionally one of the NDP's provincial power bases.
The Fraser-Nicola, Penticton and Cariboo North riding associations have previously voted to hold a leadership convention, rather than just a leadership review as planned.
New Democrat House leader Mike Farnworth says the four associations want a full leadership convention to elect a new party leader at convention in September 2011.
Farnworth says the issue will be debated at provincial council meetings in Victoria this month.
But he says there is not widespread discontent with James's leadership.
The longtime NDP MLA says James's hold on the party remains solid and she enjoys the support of most of the 85 riding associations in the province.
