B.C. Liberals pick new leader Feb. 26

The B.C. Liberals will vote to replace their leader, Premier Gordon Campbell, on Feb. 26, meaning the province will soon have a new premier.

The provincial executive of the B.C. Liberal Party finalized the date for a leadership vote late Monday night, but remains uncertain how the ballots will be cast.

A leadership convention has been ruled out because the vote is sandwiched between an extraordinary convention, slated for Feb. 12, and the party's biennial convention, in Penticton in May.

No candidates have officially stepped forward to replace Campbell, who announced his resignation on Nov. 3, as his personal popularity sank to record lows.

Campbell pledged to stay on until a leadership vote could be held, but at least one cabinet insider, Energy Minister Bill Bennett, has urged the premier to step down as soon as possible.

The upcoming ballot will be the first leadership vote held by B.C. Liberals since 1993, when Campbell took over the reins from Gordon Wilson.