As the knives sharpened against the woman who kept the BC Liberals in power for another term only to see power evaporate over a single seat, Christy Clark had little choice but to call it quits. "Serving as Premier and serving the people of British Columbia for the past six and a half years has been an incredible honour and privilege," the statement said. "I am certain that British Columbia's best days lie ahead. Because British Columbians can, through hard work, determination, and perseverance, achieve anything they set their minds to."

VANCOUVER – As the knives sharpened against the woman who kept the BC Liberals in power for another term only to see power evaporate over a single seat, Christy Clark had little choice but to call it quits.

She did just that on Friday, saying she will resign next Friday, August 4 from both her Kelowna seat as well as leader of the party.

One month after a confidence vote effectively ended the BC Liberals 16-year reign of the province, its Clark announced she'll be stepping down effective Aug. 4.

"Serving as Premier and serving the people of British Columbia for the past six and a half years has been an incredible honour and privilege," the statement said.

"I am certain that British Columbia's best days lie ahead. Because British Columbians can, through hard work, determination, and perseverance, achieve anything they set their minds to."

Clark's Liberals, including the reign of Clark's predecessor Premier Gordon Campbell, governed B.C. for 5,869 days — one of the longest political dynasties in the province's history.

She first headed a majority B.C. Liberal government after leading her party to a stunning come-from-behind victory in B.C.'s 40th provincial election in 2013.

Here is Christy Clark's Full Statement:

Today, I informed my caucus colleagues of my intention to resign as leader of the BC Liberal Party effective Friday, August 4.

Serving as Premier and serving the people of British Columbia for the past six and a half years has been an incredible honour and privilege.

I am so proud of everything our BC Liberal Team has accomplished. From working to make British Columbia Canada’s leading economy and creating more than 200,000 new jobs, to helping thousands of single parents go from welfare to work through the Single Parent Employment Initiative, to British Columbia’s gift to the world, the protection of the Great Bear Rainforest.

I am certain that British Columbia’s best days lie ahead. Because British Columbians can, through hard work, determination, and perseverance, achieve anything they set their minds to.