The resigning leader of the United Conservative Party (PCU), Jason Kenney, will remain in office until his successor is appointed, the party announced on Thursday.

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"We have agreed that we must remain united, focused on the best interests of Albertans, and determined to do the job Albertans elected us to do," UCP Caucus Leader Nathan Neudorf said in a statement.

"With that in mind, we have affirmed Premier Jason Kenney's continued leadership of our caucus and our government until a new leader is chosen, the timing of which will be determined by the United Conservative Party."

The announcement came the day after the result of a vote of confidence in Mr. Kenney's leadership, where only 51.4% of members voted in favor. “It’s clearly not enough downforce to continue leading. This is why I informed the president of the United Conservative Party of my decision to step down as leader,” he said Wednesday, in front of a crowd gathered in Calgary.