Kevin Taft will continue to serve as MLA for Edmonton-Riverview until the next election. (CBC)

The former leader of the Alberta Liberal Party is getting out of politics.

Kevin Taft, who led the party for four years, said Friday he would continue as MLA for Edmonton-Riverview until the next election.

"This decision was made a long time ago," Taft told the Edmonton Journal.

"I didn't announce it because I felt it was important to protect the existence of Riverview. I think if Riverview was a lame duck constituency it was just more vulnerable to being dismantled. My first loyalty is to the constituency."

Taft stepped down as opposition leader in 2008 after the party lost seven of its 16 seats.

Current leader David Swann said that decision made for a much smoother transition for the party, adding Taft has made a significant contribution to his party, constituents and politics in general.

"He addressed the debt in a very significant way, had a very good team around him and the party," Swann told CBC News.

"His constituency has been one of the model constituency organizations in the province for fundraising, for work in the constituency and for addressing some of the peoples' needs in his constituency."

Taft was elected to the legislature for the first time in 2001 and re-elected in 2004.

He has written three books: Shredding the Public Interest, Healthcare — No Easy Answers and most recently Derailing Democracy.

"His books all have been very well received in the political community and very much appreciated by people who recognize that Alberta could be so much more than it is," Swann said.