Ken Hughes not running in next Alberta election

Veteranpolitician Ken Hughes sayshe will not run in the next provincial election.

The Calgary-West MLA, and former energy and municipal affairs minister, says he made the decision in a bid to help create momentum for renewal in the Progressive Conservative Party.

• Ken Hughes drops out of Tory leadership race, endorses Jim Prentice

In a statement released Thursday morning, the 60-year-oldsaid he wanted to make his future intentions known before Premier-designate Jim Prentice selects his new cabinet. That announcement is expected next week.

"There can be no space at the cabinet table if some people dont step back and allow renewal to take place," said Hughes.

"The strongest possible way for me to make this statement about the importance of renewal and support Jim Prentice in his work is to take this step."

Hughes admits the Tories in Alberta are in trouble.

"Nobody can argue with the analysis that the Progressive Conservative Party, the caucus, the cabinet and the government need renewal. Since last spring, I have argued that fundamental renewal is critical for Albertans to achieve our potential."

Political expert surprised

Political watcher Duane Bratt says he wassurprised by the announcement.

"I thought, even with a smaller cabinet, that Hughes would be in possibly even as high as finance minister. I am shocked by his decision," said Bratt, who chairs the department of policy studies at Mount Royal University.

"Especially since he was in Edmontonon Saturdayfor thevote, and a lot of Calgary MLAs were not."

Brattsaid he thinks there couldbe more to Hughes'departure possibly a new job related inthe premier'soffice.

Hughes, a Harvard University graduate, has a long history of public service. He spent five years as a Conservative MP for the federal riding of MacLeod.

In 2008, he became the founding chairman of Alberta Health Services before winning a seat in the legislature in 2012.

Earlier this year, Hughes was to the first to announce he would seek the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party following Alison Redford's resignation as premier.

Hughes withdrewfrom the race amonth later to throw his support behind Jim Prentice.