91原创 MLA Mary Polak said for her, Christy Clark鈥檚 was unexpected.
鈥淚t was a surprise,鈥� Polak told The Times.
On Friday, Clark announced she would be stepping down.
鈥淪erving as premier and serving the people of British Columbia for the past six and a half years has been an incredible honour and privilege,鈥� Clark said in a written statement issued after she informed the Liberal caucus of her decision.
Polak said it was an emotional meeting.
鈥淭here were a lot of tears in the room.鈥�
Polak said she personally was, 鈥渞eally resistant鈥� to the idea, but she came around after Clark explained it would be better for the party and province for a new leader to be in place sooner than later.
鈥淩eluctantly, I understand,鈥� Polak said.
It ensures that when the inevitable collapse of the NDP-Green coalition occurs, the new Liberal leader will have had time to to prepare, Polak said.
鈥淭he average minority government in Canada lasts 18 to 24 months,鈥� Polak noted.
Polak said people in her riding have been coming up to her and praising Clark for showing 鈥渃lass鈥� in the way she dealt with the election results.
鈥淚t鈥檚 one thing to out-and-out lose an election, but to win the election and lose the government, it鈥檚 a really unique situation,鈥� Polak said.
Polak said she has no plans to run for the top job after seeing what it demanded from Clark and from previous Liberal leader Gordon Campbell.
鈥淣o,鈥� she said.
鈥淚 have no interest. I鈥檝e watched what the job is.鈥�
Polak, who was elected as a Liberal MLA in 2005, has never served in opposition before, but remarked that as a Surrey school trustee, 鈥淚鈥檝e had some opposition-like experiences with the NDP.鈥�
91原创 East MLA Rich Coleman .
He said he currently has no plans to pursue the role on a more permanent basis.
鈥淚 told caucus this morning that I have no intention at this time to seek the leadership, and if I ever did change I would step down 鈥� and I don鈥檛 plan to step down,鈥� Coleman said.
