The newly-elected Conservative MP for Hastings-Lennox and Addington says he was “taken aback” by an announcement from party leader Andrew Scheer that he is stepping down, but supports the decision.
Derek Sloan tells Quinte News, Scheer told his caucus this morning about his decision, before making the announcement publicly.
Sloan says Scheer told party members it was a difficult choice to make and wasn’t related to any calls for his resignation, or negative opinions from outside the party.
While a timeline to find a replacement leader hasn’t fully been laid out, Sloan says it will be interesting to see how the leadership race goes and how that could change the way the party is seen by voters.
He is also assuring his constituents that the news won’t have an effect on the work he’s been tasked to do in Ottawa.
Scheer has said that he intends to stay on as leader until a replacement is chosen and that whoever succeeds him, will have his full support.
