The NDP caucus has officially backed Nycole Turmel as their interim leader.

“I’m overwhelmed by the support of the caucus today. I’m also ready to take on the job as long as the federal council accepts the recommendation of the caucus,” Turmel said following the caucus meeting Wednesday morning. “We have a strong caucus, we have a strong leader as Jack Layton. We want to give him the time to rest to come back in September,” said Turmel.

A vote of the party’s federal council should confirm the move tomorrow. I’m not entirely sure of the historical criteria in this case, but if this does move Ms. Turmel officially to the position of Leader of Her Majesty’s Official Opposition, she would seem to become the 43rd individual and the second woman to occupy that post.