Calling a snap election turned into the biggest gamble of David Eby’s political career – and it didn’t pay off.

Eby says he will resign as leader of the BC NDP after losing the provincial election to Lorne Doerkson and the BC Conservatives.

Eby, who was projected to hold on to his seat in Vancouver-Point Grey, made the announcement in his concession speech on Saturday night.

“This is obviously something I do with a very heavy heart. But it is time for new leadership within our party,” Eby told supporters.

“I take some comfort from the fact that my family, that has stood by me through our first run, Cailes, was 15 years ago, 2011, and it has been a wild ride. But my family has paid a very significant cost for this work, and I am keen to spend some time with my kids, with my wife, with our friends, and not worry if someone is videotaping me while I am singing karaoke.”

Eby called being the premier of B.C. “the honour” of his life.

“I can’t think of any better group of people to work with, to serve the NDP, a social movement that finds its roots in the Prairies, where people just agreed that working together was the best way to get forward. You in this room, my colleagues in government, our staff, our team, our volunteers, the party’s best and I am forever in debt to you for this opportunity that you gave me.”

The New Democrats had a one-seat majority in the B.C. legislature when Eby called a snap election last month – a full two years before the next scheduled vote.

The outgoing premier initially told British Columbians he needed a new mandate to tackle challenges posed by U.S. President Donald Trump. He later said the election was needed to end the frustrations of a “stalled out” legislature.

Eby says he regrets not making that clearer during the election campaign.

The decision was criticized as opportunistic by Opposition parties given the turmoil in the Conservative camp at the time, marked by near-daily defections under Kerry-Lynne Findlay, who ultimately resigned. The Tories entered the race with an interim leader in Doerkson, the fourth person to head the party in the last year.

Municipal leaders also criticized Eby’s decision to call an election while a municipal race was already underway.

Eby became premier in 2022 after John Horgan stepped down, and he was the only candidate eligible for the BC NDP leadership race. Eby then narrowly defeated John Rustad and the Conservatives in the 2024 provincial election.