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The NSW Liberals will decide who takes the mantle of Opposition Leader nearly a month after they lost government.

The April 21 party room meeting, called by Dominic Perrottet on Thursday afternoon, comes after the former premier stood down the night of the coalition's election loss on March 25.

The meeting falls a day after the expected declaration of results in the upper house, where Liberal candidate Rachel Merton is hoping to score one of the final sets.

Jordan Lane is another Liberal with just one foot through the door of the party room.

The electoral commission will conduct a recount of Ryde over the weekend, after the first two counts had Mr Lane 50 votes ahead of Labor's Lyndal Howison on a margin of 0.05 per cent.

Former NSW attorney-general Mark Speakman is favoured to take the Liberal leadership and the Opposition Leader title.

The moderate Cronulla MP has his party's support to become opposition leader but speculation is rife he may have a tilt at former prime minister Scott Morrison's federal southern Sydney electorate of Cook if he quits.

Mr Speakman is yet to confirm he will actually run to replace Mr Perrottet, with Alister Henskens and conservative Anthony Roberts the other names put forward.

The three are considered the party's most experienced MPs following the coalition's March 25 election loss but so far only Mr Roberts has confirmed he will contest the leadership.

It comes as rumours swirl Mr Morrison will announce his retirement in May.

The Nationals last week re-elected leader Paul Toole and deputy leader Bronnie Taylor in their first formal meeting since the election.

Mr Toole saw off a challenge from Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders, who fell short by two votes in the 16-member party room.

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Originally posted here:
NSW Liberals land on date to consider leadership - The West Australian