EDMONTON — Alberta Liberal Leader David Swann says he will step down as head of the party after the spring sitting of the legislature.

Swann's decision comes exactly one week after Tory Premier Ed Stelmach said he would not seek re-election and days after Ted Morton quit as finance minister to run for Stelmach's job.

"Let me be very clear. This decision was mine and mine alone, as is the timing," Swann said at a news conference. "The process of leadership succession will be guided by the Liberal party once I formally step down as leader."

Swann says he will stay on as member of the legislature for Calgary Mountain View so he can continue to focus on his two big concerns: health care and the environment.

Swann, a former medical health officer, won the Liberal leadership in 2008 when Kevin Taft stepped down after the party lost almost half its seats in the provincial election.

Swann failed to make gains in the polls despite Stelmach's shaky performance and turmoil in health care.

The Liberals have eight seats in the 83-seat legislature, but have been overshadowed by smaller parties, including the NDP and the right-of-centre Wildrose Alliance.

Swann inherited a $400,000 party debt when he took over. He never seemed to find his footing and one of his MLAs, David Taylor, left the Liberals last April over what he said was Swann's ineffectual leadership.

Taylor announced last week that he is joining the Alberta Party, a collection of moderates from across party lines.

But Swann lauded his party's accomplishments in the last two years.

"Our party is now on solid financial footing, ready to tackle the next election," he said. "Our caucus has continued to hold the government to account on the issues that matter to the public, whether this meant championing an emergency debate on health care ... or by forcing the government to scrap its ill-conceived parks bill."

Party president Erick Ambtman said Swann "championed a culture of change in the Alberta Liberal party. His efforts will continue to pay dividends long after his tenure as our leader."