Ontario election 2014: Tim Hudak to step down as PC leader

Tim Hudaktold supporters he will step down as leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservativesfollowing the party's defeat in the provincial election.

"I am proud of what our teamhas accomplished, and Iamoptimistic about our partysfuture," Hudak told a crowd of party faithfulin his home riding of Niagara West-Glanbrook.

"But I will not beleading the OntarioPCparty inthe next election campaign. Iwill meet with a caucus, theparty executive in the comingdays to begin the process ofselecting a new leader," he said, to groans of disappointment from supporters.

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Hudakwas re-elected in his riding, and said he will continue to serve as itsMPP.

"Iwill lead our party and caucusonly until that new leader is selected," he said.

Hudaksaid he had called to congratulate Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynneon her re-election, a sweep that handed the Liberals a majority government and their fourth straight mandate in the province. He said he also congratulated NDP Leader Andrea Horwath on her "strong and respectful" campaign.

Wynneand the Liberals, "will have theopportunity to deliver thechange that Ontario so clearlyneeds," Hudaksaid.

"Nobody should mistake this result as an endorsement of thestatus quo," he added. "KathleenWynne promised verydifferent behaviour for whatweve seen these past 11 years. She will be held accountable ifshe does not deliver on thatchange.

Returning to a theme that defined his campaign, Hudak said Ontariansexpect a government that will "focus on creating jobs above all else."

"Our team will put private sectorjob creation first in everydecision," he said.

'Fundamental error'

In light of the defeat, the party will also have to "re-evaluate" some of its positions, according to longtime Tory insider Norm Sterling, who held various cabinet positions under Bill Davis, Mike Harris and Ernie Eaves.

"The party has to re-evaluate where it sits on the politicalspectrum,and become more progressive andless conservative," said Sterling, speaking to CBC News at the campaign headquarters of Lisa MacLeod, who was returned to office in the Ottawa-area riding ofNepean-Carlton.

Sterling said Davis and other formerparty leaders were "more in tune with the people of Ontario."

"They were pragmaticand theyshowed compassion," he said.

Hudak, said Sterling, made a "fundamental error" with his controversial promise to create one million jobs, while cutting 100,000 public sector positions. The platform drew heavy fire from political rivals and economists alike.

"Making himself thetarget,rather than attacking,was a waste of fundamental errorin terms of the strategy," said Sterling."The focus was on him, and it shouldhave been on the pastgovernmentand [former Liberal premier] Mr.McGuinty'srecord."

Sterling suggestedMacLeod could have what it takes to replace Hudak as party leader.

MacLeod, who served as the party's critic for energy and Francophone affairs during the last government, shows "all the leadership qualitiesthat we need in our party," he said.

"She understands the middleclass, shes compassionate, and ...she has a greatpresence in the Legislature."