Fredericton MLA Brian Macdonald ponders Tory leadership bid

Fredericton West-Hanwell Progressive Conservative MLA Brian Macdonald says he is giving serious consideration toa run for the party's leadership.

• Ex-Conservative MP Mike Allen considers provincial leadership run
• Mel Norton keeps door open on possible PC leadership run

Macdonald said the party needs a strong leader within the next year to prepare for the 2018 provincial election.

"I'm chewing on it myself. You know, it's a big commitment," he said.

"It's a 10-year commitment. It's a serious job and this province has a lot of challenges. You know, politics comes at a personal cost and I'm giving that some serious consideration."

The leadership became vacant when former premier David Alward announced he was leaving the job following the party's defeat in the 2014 election.

The Progressive Conservatives have not set a date forwhen they will elect their next leader.

So far, no candidates have officially declared their intentions to become the party's next leader.

Former Conservative MP Mike Allen said last week that he's also been approached by party members to consider a leadership bid. Allen said he would make his decision in the new year.

Macdonald was a backbench MLA in the Alward government and was re-elected in his Fredericton-area riding, defeating NDP Leader Dominic Cardy and Liberal candidate Bernadine Gibson.