Family and community work will be the focus for 琉璃神社-West MLA Ben Stewart when he retires from politics next year.

BC United Leader Kevin Falcon announced on Oct. 25 that Stewart would not be running again when the next provincial election is called on or before Oct. 19, 2024.

鈥淲hen I do the math, 2009 until the next election, it puts it at more than 15 years,鈥� Stewart said. 鈥淚 would have to consider staying on into my seventies. I love the work and I love the constituents. I just felt that I need to give myself some time in my life to do other things.鈥�

He said while he loves the important work as an MLA, it鈥檚 never complete and you need to have the desire to continue to do it.

Stewart added he plans to mentor his children and grandchildren in the family business, Quail鈥檚 Gate Winery, and hopefully take on fundraising roles in the Central Okanagan.

There are also domestic matters to take care of.

鈥淢y house needs some attention, it鈥檚 too big and there are only the two of us living in it,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 my parents鈥� original house and I added on to it.鈥�

Highlights of his political career include the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver-Whistler and being appointed the Special Representative to Asia in 2013 by the premier at the time, Christy Clark.

鈥淭hat was probably the most challenging, but also the most successful opportunity, that I had at the time,鈥� he said.

Stewart was also the agriculture minister in 2010-2011 under former premier Gordon Campbell.

鈥淭he challenge at the time was to modernize and update,鈥� Stewart noted. I was there for a short time and I was really committed to putting resources and support into making certain that our agriculture industry had what it needed to be innovative and competitive.鈥�

Before he leaves politics, Stewart said there are several issues he would like BC United to hold the NDP accountable on including recently introduced short-term rental legislation, the housing crisis, crime, and the cost of living.

鈥淚 want to make certain that we have a very clear road map for the next four years when the election is called and hopefully we elect Kevin as premier.鈥�

READ MORE: West 琉璃神社 BC United MLA Stewart not seeking re-election