Dennis King has announced his resignation as the premier of Prince Edward Island, calling his nearly six years in office “a privilege and an honour of a lifetime.” The 53-year-old Progressive Conservative leader made the announcement Thursday afternoon, flanked by cabinet members. King also confirmed he would step down as the PC Party leader and as MLA for Brackley-Hunter River, with all resignations effective at 1 p.m. Friday.
King stated he would not return to politics, ruling out any future bids for elected office, including at the federal level. He shared that the decision to leave politics followed a family discussion over the holidays, describing the choice as a difficult one.
Reflecting on his tenure, King acknowledged the challenges his government faced, including hurricanes, disruptions in the potato industry, and navigating public safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these hurdles, he expressed pride in his accomplishments, highlighting his government’s efforts to change politics in P.E.I. and maintain high public satisfaction.
King admitted the job’s demands took a significant toll on his family and his mental health, saying, “My wife and kids have lost almost every faceoff due to the demands of this job.” He added, “It’s the most difficult job a person can do because of the public nature.”
The announcement included news that Rob Lantz, currently education and early years minister, would take over as interim premier and PC Party leader. King expressed gratitude to his constituents and Islanders, saying, “You gave me your trust and I gave you my very best.”
Source: Swifteradio.com
