Nova Scotia’s Progressive Conservatives might have gained a few seats and made inroads in Metro Halifax during Tuesday’s provincial election, but it has left the fate of the leader of the party far from certain.
It was Jamie Baillie’s second kick at the can to try to form a government and the result was far from what the party wanted.
Premier Stephen McNeil’s Liberals returned to power with a majority government — the first time since 1988 that a party in Nova Scotia has achieved back-to-back majorities.
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As of Thursday, Baillie has yet to commit to a long-term plan for his political future.
On election night, when it seemed like the Liberals might be limited to a minority government, Baillie was positive about his political future.
“I want to be clear, I will continue to lead this party into the future,” he said to a crowd of supporters in Springhill, N.S., who chanted his last name in return. “My first task is to lead this party into a new session of the House of Assembly.”
WATCH: Nova Scotia election: Jamie Baillie full speech at PC headquarters
But when the smoke cleared the day after the election, Baillie’s tune had already changed.
“I’m committed to leading the opposition into the legislature,” Baillie told Global News on Wednesday. “There’s a lot of dust still to settle, we’re only on day one here. So, I will do that and take the time to think through the long run.”
Baillie will likely have time to determine his future. McNeil has hinted that he likely won’t call a new session until later this year.