“We greatly respect the decision made this week by James. We wholeheartedly agree that Islanders are looking for a proven alternative to the current government.

As James stated in his announcement this week, our team is focused and committed to a vision of government that encourages economic growth, access to quality public services and strengthens families in urban and rural communities. We believe that the election of a Progressive Conservative government is the best path forward to achieve those goals and make Prince Edward Island the best place in Canada to live, work, and raise a family.

Our collective focus is on the well-being of all Islanders, not individual egos or personal ambitions. With that in mind we are today jointly announcing that no current sitting MLA intends to seek the leadership of the Progressive Conservative party of Prince Edward Island.

We believe that standing united and working together we will achieve our team’s shared goal of providing Islanders with a fresh perspective and a proven alternative to the current government.”