Paul Davis not ready to leave? 'I've agreed to keep that door open,' says PC leader

Eight months ago the knives were out for PC Leader Paul Davis following his party's defeat in the 2015 general election, but a rebound in his and the party's popularity is leading to some intrigue on the leadership front.

• PC Opposition maintains lead ahead of Liberals: CRA poll

Davis conceded to what appeared to be growing infighting by announcing last October that he would resign as party leader after a successor could be elected.

"There are some people in the party who want to have that leadership discussion," Davis said at the time.

"There is a division that I see occurring as a result of that. And the potential for a stronger division that could happen. That's not in the best interest of our party.

'It's certainly not my plan'

But that leadership race is still far from resolved, and Davis's tone has now changed. There are growing whispers among political insiders that he is not ready to let go of the reins.

I don't have a burning desire to run today. But I've agreed to keep that door open just that little bit.- Paul Davis

In an interview Thursday, Davis said he has not changed his mind, but did leave the door open, saying he's been receiving support from around the province.

"I've agreed just to keep that door open ever so little bit and I would agree to have a look at what the landscape is when those times come, but it's certainly not my plan," Davis said Thursday.

"I don't think I'm gonna run. I don't have a plan to run. I don't have a burning desire to run today. But I've agreed to keep that door open just that little bit."

• Paul Davis to resign as PC leader, 'in best interests of party'

So there it is. He's not in. But he's not exactly out, either.

And that's not going over well with Ches Crosbie, one of those looking to succeed Davis as leader.

Crosbie is anxious to find out what the ground rules will be for a leadership contest before formalizing his candidacy, and that could all be revealed following a special general meeting of the party in Gander this weekend.

Davis and many at the party's executive level expect a leadership race sometime next year, but Crosbie is a little more anxious, with a general election a little over two years away.

"We're in danger of letting an opportunity go by not capitalizing on a distressing situation where we have a government that does not seem to be in charge and a premier who is the most unpopular premier in the history of the province," said Crosbie.

"We need to get ourselves together. Get a new leader and start looking like a government in waiting."

Davis needs to decide, says Crosbie

So what "landscape" would convince Davis to fight to keep his job, and renege on a pledge to resign?

Sources say he's not warm and fuzzy about the prospect of either Crosbie or Mount Pearl North MHA Steve Kent sliding into the top job, but efforts by Davis and other caucus members to recruit someone else have not been fruitful.

So with his personal popularity well ahead of Premier Dwight Ball, and the PCs polling 40 per cent support from decided voters, could this be the landscape that convinces Davis to stick around?

He's not saying, but if that is his plan, is it fair for him to stay on as party leader in the lead-up to a contest and benefit from all the resources and profile that comes with the job?

How can the voters get excited about an alternative to a failing government when we don't know what that alternative is. So that's another reason why Mr. Davis needs to make his mind up.- Ches Crosbie

"I think Mr. Davis does need to decide what job he's doing," Crosbie said. "Is he doing the job of being involved in a contest to effectively be the next leader and succeed himself, or is he doing the job of being the official opposition leader?"

Crosbie went on to call Davis a "lame-duck leader" and said the most recent polling results should be seen as more of a wake-up call for the PCs, and not as motivation for Davis to consider another run at the premier's office.

"How can the voters get excited about an alternative to a failing government when we don't know what that alternative is. So that's another reason why Mr. Davis needs to make his mind up," said Crosbie.

Steve Kent, meanwhile, declined comment Thursday, saying in an email to CBC News that "I am very likely to run. I am building an exploratory team."