CORNER BROOK, Nfld. -- Fonse Faour, the only New Democrat who ever won an election in Newfoundland, says he will step down as leader of the provincial NDP.
Faour became the first elected New Democrat in the province when he won a federal by-election in 1978.
He lost the seat in the general election the following year and was elected provincial NDP leader in 1980.
Faour said Wednesday he decided to step down when the party holds its annual meeting next month because of a conflict with his law practise.
'When I took the position last year I thought it would be possible to do both, but I underestimated the demands of both the leadership and of my work,' Faour said.
'Only having served for a year doesn't lend itself to creating stability in the party,' Faour said, but said the NDP has made gains in credibility and has greatly improved its provincial organization during the past year.
Faour said the leadership 'question is always an order of business at the annual meeting,' and that he simply will not run for a second term. A new leader will be elected at the meeting, scheduled for Nov. 7 and 8 in St. John's.
