Todd Stone joins B.C. Liberal leadership race, which now has eight candidates
VICTORIA — The latest hopeful to launch a campaign for the leadership of British Columbia’s Liberals spoke candidly Tuesday about the elephant in the room that contributed to the party’s downfall after 16 years in power, despite the province’s resounding economic success.
Todd Stone is the fourth member of former premier Christy Clark’s cabinet to enter the leadership race, which brings the field to eighth candidates. The Liberals will elect their new leader in February.
The former transportation minister said the Liberals ran a tight ship economically but didn’t listen when it came to the needs of many communities, especially in Metro Vancouver where the Liberals were punished in last spring’s election.
“There is no downplaying this, we have learned some tough lessons as a party,” said Stone, who announced his leadership bid just outside Vancouver in suburban Surrey, where the Liberals lost seats to the New Democrats. “I have learned some tough lessons as well.”