Veteran New Democrats in B.C. say that the insurrection that led to Carole James's resignation has caused damage to the party that will take years to repair.
After James stepped down as leader on Monday, blaming pressure from 13 dissident MLA "bullies," former party insiders couldn't believe the magnitude of the NDP implosion.
"It seems like a very bitterly divided party, and it's going to take a long time to heal," New Democrat commentator David Schreck told CTV News.
The internal revolt came as the opposition party was on top of the polls, facing a government opponent in deep political trouble.
"They chose to have a bloodbath in public, divide the party and drive her out. That's why they're anarchist," Schreck said.
Former NDP finance minister Paul Ramsey believes it will take at least 10 years for the political damage to be undone.
"I think it's going to take a long time for some of these wounds to heal," he said.
"Regrettably, I think that the odds have shifted and that the money is now on the Liberals winning a fourth term."
As for the dissident MLAs, they were busy Tuesday trying to put the best face on an angry and divided party.
"This is not about being happy or not happy. I firmly believe that this about engaging in a process of renewal for our party," Jenny Kwan, the public face of the revolt, said.
Fellow dissident Lana Popham said that the outcome was unfortunate, but necessary.
"I do believe that the party needed renewal, and there was a problem with the process that was happening, and it's unfortunately come to this place," she said.
Now the party is without a leader, or an obvious successor, crippled by anger and division.
"Hit the reset button and look towards the prize," NDP MLA Rob Fleming advised. "An election might be coming in 2011, or it might be in 2013, but our party has to be ready, it has to be organized."
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Jim Beatty
