Arnie Hamilton, the former Esquimalt-Metchosin MLA, announced Saturday he is supporting Mike de Jong as his first choice to be the next leader of the BC Liberals. "Mike de Jong is the leader the BC Liberals need right now. He's ready to take the fight to the NDP. He has a plan to renew our party and start winning back the support of British Columbians," Hamilton said. "Mike's my first choice because he has the vision to take us back to government and to build a better province for all British Columbians." Hamilton served as Esquimalt-Metchosin MLA from 2001-2005 after a 31-year career as an Esquimalt police officer. For 20 of his years on the force he was President of the Esquimalt Police Union. "Mike is the kind of leader our party needs - when he makes a commitment, he delivers," Hamilton said. "That is the kind of leadership that will win back support for our party here on the Island and across the province." Mike de Jong now has many MLAs, former MLAs, MPs, and community leaders supporting him from around the province. The BC Liberal party will hold a leadership convention to announce the new leader on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018.