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McFadyen stepping down

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 10/4/2011 10:12 PM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 10/4/2011 10:46 PM | Updates

Conservative Leader Hugh McFadyen gives his concession speech Tuesday night, announcing he will step down as party leader after his second loss to NDP. (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

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Hugh McFadyen said Tuesday he will step down as party leader because of the Conservatives’ poor election showing.

Speaking to about 150 party workers and supporters at the CanadInn Polo Park, McFadyen said he was proud the Tories were able to achieve a high popular vote — but that didn’t translate into more seats.

"Under any other circumstance we would be happy with 45 per cent of the vote,’’ McFadyen told party supporters at his campaign headquarters. "Obviously we did not get those votes in the right seats.’’

He told reporters he might have stayed on if the party could have improved its standing to 24 or 25 seats from the 19 it won in 2007. But the party made no seat gains.

He said he needs to take responsibility for his party failing to win more seats.

"The reality is this: in politics: you have to deliver bottom-line results if you want to carry on as leader of the party. We didn’t get the result that we wanted."

"It is far short of what we had hoped for,’’ he said. "It is a disappointing night for all of us.’’

McFadyen said he would step down as soon as a new leader can be chosen.

McFadyen’s second election as Tory leader was far from what he had hoped for as Premier Greg Selinger steamrolled to a majority win — the party’s fourth in a row.

He said he would stay on until a new leader is chosen.

McFadyen would have faced an automatic leadership review.

History

Updated on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 10:25 PM CDT: Adds McFadyen stepping down.

10:46 PM: Adds quotes

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