VANCOUVER — The contrast couldn't be more stark: B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell received an 84 per cent approval rating from his own party just as his popularity among the public sank into the single digits.

It was the latter that tipped the scales for Campbell's resignation this week, the premier explained Thursday as he took his first questions about his departure.

Debate about his future overshadowed just about everything his government did, he acknowledged.

"When people start talking about the premier's popularity as opposed to a way of increasing people's take-home pay, the premier's popularity as opposed to how we can really lift our kids up ... it's clearly time for a change," Campbell told a group of reporters crammed into a room at his downtown Vancouver office.

Campbell announced his plans to resign on Wednesday, abruptly ending a nine-year premiership that has recently been dogged by criticism over the much-loathed harmonized sales tax. He'll stay on until a new leader is chosen.

Late Wednesday evening, the party released the results of an internal leadership vote, showing Campbell had the overwhelming support of his party.

But that show of support does little to change the political realities of an electorate convinced the Liberals lied about the HST during last year's election.

And when Campbell attempted to change the conversation last week, announcing a major tax cut during a provincewide TV address, shuffling his cabinet and promising education reform, that only amplified the speculation about his political career.

"It seemed to me this week that the time had come to step aside," said Campbell.

No date has been set for the leadership convention to replace Campbell. The party has already cancelled an annual convention that was planned later this month in Penticton.

Campbell, 62, said he'll remain premier until the party has a new leader. He wouldn't comment on what the future holds after that, other than to say he'll still represent the riding of Vancouver-Point Grey in the legislature.

The change in leadership won't let the Liberals off the hook for the HST. A referendum is set for September of next year, and the next premier will be forced to take a position on the tax and explain that to voters.

However, Campbell said he's confident whoever takes the reins of the party will support the policies of his government.

"I think if all of that just came out of the blue, that would be one thing, but the fact is these are decisions that we made as a government, as a cabinet, as a caucus," said Campbell.

"I think the new leader, certainly if they're from inside government, would have been part of those decisions, and if they're from outside government, I would assume ... they'll believe in strengthening the private sector economy, I think they'll believe in leaving more money in people's pockets, that's what the party has always stood for."

As for the harmonized sales tax that cost Campbell his place in the public eye, he repeated what he has said several times in more than a year of criticism over the levy.

"We did not do a good job. I've apologized to people for that because I think that is my responsibility, and we didn't do a good job with it. It was a mistake," Campbell said, referring to the way the Liberals unrolled the tax in B.C.

Among the candidates expected to vie for his job are Education Minister George Abbott, Attorney General Mike de Jong, Solicitor General Rich Coleman and Health Minister Kevin Falcon.

None have been willing to talk about their ambitions, preferring instead to focus on Campbell's legacy.