Jamie Fox, Darlene Compton vying for Progressive Conservative interim leadership

Two Progressive Conservative MLAs have officially thrown their hat in the ring to be the party's interim leader.

Borden-Kinkora MLA Jamie Fox and Belfast-Murray River MLA Darlene Compton are the first to put their names forward after Rob Lantz resigned as leader a couple of weeks ago.

• P.E.I. Progressive Conservative Leader Rob Lantz resigns
• Rob Lantz election loss left P.E.I. PC Party without a road map
• Progressive Conservatives mull interim leader after Rob Lantz resignation

Fox says he's proven himself as an effective voice for the Opposition in his one session in the legislature.

Fox says he has no interest in being the party's permanent leader. He says the interim leader should be solely focused on that job and getting the party back on track, not worried about a future bid for the permanent post.

"We need, as Opposition, to concentrate on what government's doing and on what's happening in the province," said Fox.

"I think it's very important for the interim leader to be focused on that, and not on the possibility of running for the leadership in three and a half years, or two and a half years, whatever the timetable is."

Compton, who, along with James Aylward ran for the leadership against Lantz in February, says she's going for the interim leadership because she's been encouraged by some executive and caucus members.

"They think this is a good move for me. They think I'm calm and steady and reasonable voice," she said.

If other caucus members want to be permanent leader, she says that shouldn't discourage them from running now for the interim job.

"I think it's really important that we as a caucus and an Opposition move forward in a positive light, and bring maybe some new faces to the forefront."

The deadline for individuals interested in putting their name forward for interim leader is Thursday.

The PC caucus and executive will vote in the interim leader on Oct. 15.