MLA Steven Myers named interim PC leader

The Progressive Conservative Party on P.E.I. now has two leaders — MLA Steven Myers as interim party leader and MLA Hal Perry as Opposition leader.

Myers was elected interim party leader on Thursday evening while Perry was chosen for his position earlier this week.

Both roles became vacant when Olive Crane stepped down from her positions.

Crane announced in December she was stepping down as party leader, but created controversy by saying she intended to maintain her position as Opposition leader. She then announced earlier this week that she had decided to step down from her position as Opposition leader as well.

Myers said he felt it would be best for the party if one person held both posts.

"I'm not going to change my mind on it," he told CBC News on Thursday.

"At this point it's not within my control. The job I've been given here tonight is by the party to try to reunite the party, to lead the party, and that's certainly the one I'm focused on tonight and that's where I'll be focused tomorrow morning."

Myers said it's too soon to say if he'll ask his fellow MLAs to reconsider whether Perry should continue as Opposition leader.

That position is decided by the five Progressive Conservative MLAs.

"There's no magic wand to be waved here. I'm not saying that I have some answer and tomorrow morning we're going to wake up and everything's going to be great," he said.

"The conversations need to be had with the membership, with the people in the districts, the presidents, the executive. My job won't be to tell them what they want to hear. My job is going to be to listen to what they have to say."