OTTAWA
(PoliticsWatch updated October 31, 2002 @ 9 a.m.) Peter MacKay
stepped down as House leader, indicating he is serious about the
Tory leadership.
 MacKay
resigned after the party's caucus meeting today, but will stay
on as justice, solicitor-general and public security critic. MP
Loyola Hearn will take over as caucus leader.
"A number of people in
and outside the Party have encouraged me to run
for the leadership of our Party," MacKay said in a press
release. "I am giving this serious consideration
and therefore believe it would
be appropriate for me to step aside as the House
Leader to further consult as I prepare to make a decision."
MacKay
will spend the next few weeks touring the country and measure
support for a leadership bid. He will announce by Christmas whether he will join the
leadership race. 
The
winner will
replace
Joe Clark, who today celebrated his 30th anniversary as an
elected MP. He said he was pleased with the progress of the
leadership race.
"I'm
very encouraged
by the state of confidence and optimism in the party about our
leadership race and obviously if Peter McKay decides to enter,
if others do, it will be a strong race," Clark told
PoliticsWatch outside the House.
So far the only official candidate is Heward
Grafftey. Last week New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord said he
would not trade in provincial politics and join the federal
Conservatives, despite numerous reports he would run.
MPs
Scott Brison, John Herron, and businessman John Tory and lawyer
Jim Prentice are also rumoured leadership hopefuls. A
leadership convention will take place next spring.
Read
today's related stories
MacKay
clears way for leadership run
(National
Post)
MacKay
to test leadership waters
(Globe and Mail)
MacKay
clears agenda to gauge support for Conservative leadership bid
(Ottawa
Citizen)
Tory
wants to lead Tories
(Toronto Star)
Related web sites:
Peter
MacKay's statement
Progressive
Conservative Party of Canada
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