Lorne Doerkson, from virtual unknown to B.C.'s next premier

Two months ago, Lorne Dirksen was a B.C. Conservative backbench MLA most people in this province would not recognize. He's now set to become B.C.'s next premier after winning a snap election that has backfired on NDP leader David Eby. Tonight, British Columbia made a choice, and it is going to be the honour of my lifetime to serve you as your premier. The B.C. Conservatives coalesced with lightning speed around the Cariboo Chilcotin MLA after the short, chaotic run of former leader Carolyn Finley. Dirksen focused on the economy, expanding LNG development and stressing that life had not gotten better for many British Columbians after nine years of NDP rule with E.R. closures and a massive deficit. We've got a province to build and I can't think of better people to build it with than you. you this is strong leadership for serious times let's do this British Columbia for David Eby now the former NDP leader has gambled to call an election two years early has ended in a blazing defeat he's projected to win his seat in Vancouver Point Grey but has offered his resignation as party leader the people of British Columbia have asked us to be the official opposition it breaks my heart and i accept full responsibility for that outcome for premier Premier designate Lorne Dirksen, the work now begins, building a cabinet and tabling a budget while uniting a party coming off a fractious few months as the province stares down a deficit projected at $14 billion. All this for a party that in name has not formed a majority government in B.C. in almost a century. Dan Burritt, CBC News, Vancouver.