Thanks everyone, for being here.

Earlier this morning, I informed the provincial secretary of the M V.

P in our caucus chair that I'll be stepping down as leader of the official opposition and of the New Democrats, because this kind of energy and this kind of time is not why really party spoke.

I know they'll be individuals who see this as a win for the bullies, and that goes against any part of my moral fiber.

But I have to tell you that the alternative of having 13 people walk away and our party spending time and energy trying to rebuild those writings tryingto bring back those individuals and spending another three months divided off isn't an alternative either.

This is a critical moment in history in our party.

It's a critical moment for the caucus to come together.

Our party spoke.

I spoke and they're still individuals who refused to come to the table and do the work that needed to be done.

And right now those people are using me as an excuse.

They're the 13 individuals that you know.

You know, those 13 individuals, you know, I said the other day when someone asked me.

I think it's sad that this has occurred.

I think it's a very sad day for for all of us.

And and you know, I'm a personal friend of Carol, so it touches me deeply.

It's clearly not an easy decision for someone to make who's been doing the job for seven years, taking us from two seats toe 34 seats toe 49% in opinion polls.

It is personally devastating.

It's politically devastating.

I have the greatest of respect for Carol James.

I personally am disappointed because I think she would have made an extraordinary premier British Columbia, the kind of premier who would have brought, uh, terrific changes to the prom's important changes really doing.

I'm doing that because it's the office.

I'd love this job.

It's been such an honor to serve the people of this province.

I couldn't have done this job without the support of my family, and I knew that's where I get choked up there.