SPRINGHILL - Veteran Cumberland South MLA Murray Scott will not be on the ballot when Nova Scotia Progressive Conservatives gather in Halifax later this year to pick a new leader.
While Scott was one of the first to express an interest in the party leadership after former premier Rodney MacDonald resigned last summer, the former police officer and Speaker of the Legislature confirmed Friday he will not run.
"I've been at this for 12 years and in all fairness to my wife, my family, myself and my community I have decided that I will not be a candidate for the leadership," Scott said.
Scott, who was first elected to the legislature in 1998 and served as Speaker for several years before moving into cabinet under MacDonald, said he received a lot of encouragement and support from inside and outside the party.
But with an election three years away, Scott said it's going to take a lot of effort to re-energize the party. He feels it's going to take someone with a lot of vision to bring the party back to where it was just a few months ago when it was government.
"There were many days when I wanted to do it, but reality set in over Christmas and after talking to my wife and friends I have come to the right decision that I will not offer," said Scott.
Scott told his riding executive and PC caucus on Thursday.
The veteran MLA said he wants to focus on constituency issues as opposed to gathering support provincewide for a leadership bid. He hasn't decided whom he will be supporting when provincial Tories gather Oct. 29-30 at the Cunard Centre in Halifax.
dcole@amherstdaily.com
Scott not considering top Tory job
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Published on
February 8, 2010
- Published on February 24, 2010
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Darrell Cole
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Comments
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- Joe
- - February 25, 2010 at 00:46:03
Scott is in a much better position now to whine and complain about the things he could've done for his constituency but didn't because he didn't have the political will when in power. Bravo Scott.
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- Salt Man
- - February 25, 2010 at 00:45:38
Murray would have have made a great Premier... This is our loss because who knows who we will get next time!!!
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