Saying it’s time to lead a more private life, Dwight Ball is stepping down as Premier after just over four years in the province’s top job.
In a video released publicly at 6 p.m. on Monday, Ball says he approached the President of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador this afternoon to launch the leadership process.
Liberal party president John Allan says the board will meet tomorrow to discuss the next move to replace Mr. Ball. The party AGM is scheduled for June, but sources tell VOCM News a leadership convention will take place before then—possibly within two to three months.
.@nlliberals Party President John Allan says the board will meet tomorrow morning to make a decision on setting rules for a leadership convention. Expect a new leader/premier to be in place within 2-3 months. #nlpoli @VOCMBen @bmadorevocm @VOCMNEWS @590VOCM pic.twitter.com/5ZNh8aiss0
— Fred Hutton (@Fred_Hutton) February 17, 2020
Ball outlined what he called a “decade of demanding political life, including eight years as Liberal Leader” his role now is as an agent of renewal. He wants to live a more private life with his family and friends in Deer Lake.
He will stay on as Premier until a new leader is in place.
Ball entered provincial politics in 2007, elected to the district of Humber – Gros Morne.
He took over duties as Leader of the Opposition and interim leader of the Liberal Party in January, 2012. He stepped back from that role the following year to make an official run for Liberal leadership in the upcoming election, which he won.
With Ball at the helm, the Liberals won a majority government in November 2015, an was re-elected to a minority government on May 16, 2019.
.@DeanMacDonaldNL says he has not ruled out a run for the leadership of the @nlliberals. He’ll make a decision after the rules of The leadership convention are announced. @VOCMNEWS @VOCMBen @bmadorevocm @590VOCM pic.twitter.com/nQGwX5JWc3
— Fred Hutton (@Fred_Hutton) February 17, 2020
