After a three-year political career, Ches Crosbie has stepped down as leader of the PC Party of Newfoundland and Labrador, stating it was the obvious decision.
Crosbie lost his seat in the legislature to John Hogan of the Liberal Party by 534 votes.
Standing outside the House of Assembly, Crosbie addressed reporters on Wednesday saying it’s never easy closing a chapter on something you try to achieve.
He feels their election campaign is one of which they can be proud.
He believes he is leaving the party in better shape than when he found it, and that’s a legacy to be proud of.
Crosbie says it was a difficult, but obvious decision to step down.
Believes he is leaving the party in better shape than he found it. A legacy he says he’s proud of. @VOCMNEWS #nlpoli pic.twitter.com/Kn8LtFTVNc
— Ben Murphy (@VOCMBen) March 31, 2021
The announcement comes following days of silence from Crosbie after the election loss.
When asked why he waited until Wednesday, Crosbie says these types of things deserve reflection and consideration.
He says he wanted to talk to his family, the party and caucus colleagues and weigh all options, which took a couple of days, before speaking publicly.
As for what’s next for Crosbie, he looks forward to some leisure, and a visit to his grandson in Halifax once the Atlantic Bubble re-opens.
Meanwhile, Crosbie says he is not in a position to say if the PC Party will bring forward any legal challenges or request re-counts following the provincial election.
Crosbie believes there were many irregularities and things to be dissatisfied about in the electoral process, calling it a “shamble” in many ways.
He says one could wonder whether the rule of law was being followed throughout the process and thinks there will be legal actions taken by various people – but is not sure who.
He claims the process was disgraceful in many respects and deserves to be investigated.
Crosbie says the real loser here was the voter.
However, the newly named interim PC Party Leader, MHA for Conception Bay East-Bell Island David Brazil says they’ll have much more to say on the election and electoral process in the coming weeks.
