By paNOW

Wotherspoon resigns as NDP leader to consider permanent run

Jun 13, 2017 | 4:10 PM

Saskatchewan’s NDP has to look for a new interim leader.

Trent Wotherspoon has resigned from the role to consider running for the job permanently, although he insisted he has made no firm decision.

“I want to give some consideration, I’ve had certainly the urging of many across the province, of many colleagues, to take a look at this,” Wotherspoon told reporters at the Legislature Tuesday. “If I’m going to reach out and if I’m going to consider this, I think it is important I step away which is why I’m doing this.”

Wotherspoon was appointedinterim leader in April 2016 following another loss of a NDP leader in the election.

But since then he has consistently said he wasn’t interested in taking on the position permanently.

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Under the NDP rules, the interim leader can run for the leadership, although too many it is seen as an unfair advantage.

Wotherspoon has been the Regina Rosemont MLA since 2007 and ran unsuccessfully for the leadership once before in 2013.

The NDP will hold its leadership convention in May 2018 and so far Ryan Meili is the only other name in the running.

The newly-elected Saskatoon MLA ran twice already, each time splitting the NDP membership down the middle.

There is no word yet on who will replace Wotherspoon on an interim basis.

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