After 21 years, Russell MacLellan is ending his political career. The former Liberal premier handed in his resignation, Wednesday.

I have always enjoyed political life and I will miss it deeply, MacLellan wrote in a news release issued just after informing interim party leader Wayne Gaudet of his decision.

MacLellan represented the riding of Cape Breton North for 18 years as a member of Parliament, and as a provincial MLA for three.

He took over as provincial leader in July, 1997, then stepped aside 11 months later after the Tories swept to power in New Brunswick.

Gaudet says MacLellan deserves a great deal of respect for his contributions to the province.

The guy did what he felt was in the best interests of Nova Scotians, he said. We knew it was coming, we just didn't know when.

In his release, MacLellan urged Premier Job Hamm to call a byelection in the riding as soon as possible. But the premier says he won't make any decisions right away because more MLA's could resign when the federal election is called.

Until all of the information is in, it would be premature to speculate, Hamm said late Wednesday afternoon.

MacLellan won't be eligible for a provincial pension because he didn't serve in the legislature six years. But he gets a $50,000 annual pension from Ottawa for his service as an MP.