Rodney MacDonald says he’s not rushing into any quick decisions on
his future as leader of Nova Scotia’s Progressive Conservative party.

But he did say after a caucus meeting Thursday that he believes it’s
time for the party to start "a new chapter" in its history, and
confirmed he’s having talks with the party president about his role.

"I’ve been talking with the party president and others,
including my caucus here today, and I’m not rushing to any decisions
today, but it’s very apparent we need renewal in the party," said the
premier.

Tuesday’s election saw the party fall from a minority government with 21 seats to third-party status with 10 seats.

MacDonald says his colleagues remaining in the caucus didn’t pressure him to make a quick decision on resigning.

Several possible contenders for a leadership position said it was too early to indicate if they’re interested in running.

Health Minister Karen Casey, who was re-elected in the riding of
Colchester North, said she was simply pleased her constituency sent her
back to the legislature with a strong plurality.

Cecil Clarke, the justice minister and the member of the
legislature for Cape Breton North, said he will focus on becoming an
opposition politician, and directing criticism at the NDP government.

"This is not the time to be talking about leadership. We have a
leader, our leader Rodney MacDonald has indicated he’ll be making
decisions. Once he makes those decisions, we’ll move forward from
there," he said.

Clarke was critical of the NDP’s announcement it will hire an outside auditor to look at the province’s books.

He said the function should fall to the province’s auditor general.

"The auditor general should be consulted and it should reported back to the house through public accounts," he said.