Ches Crosbie promises 'straight bill of goods' as he begins quest for PC leadership
'Connect with Crosbie' tour an attempt to drum up support
He may not be the firebrand politician his father was, but Ches Crosbie believes he can connect with voters in Newfoundland and Labrador.
"I think they simply have to get to know me one on one," Crosbie said Wednesday, "and particularly in relaxed situations."
He added, "I'm not that tough to relate to once you get to know me."
After months of speculation, the prominent lawyer confirmed Wednesday he wants to become leader of the Progressive Conservative Party.
He doesn't quite fit the mold of some of the charismatic and bellicose leaders of the past, but he served notice Wednesday that Premier Dwight Ball will will be in his sights as he undertakes a province wide tour dubbed "Connect with Crosbie."
Crosbie said the province suffers from a "leadership crisis."
"Dwight Ball made a big mistake. He ran his campaign for election on the basis of denying reality. I'm not going to make that mistake," Crosbie said.
"What the people of the province will hear from me is the straight bill of good with no B.S. If and when I might come to power, people will have a good idea of the direction I'm doing to take and what I'm going to do about the problems we're facing."
Steve Kent may be next
Crosbie, 63, wants to replace former premier Paul Davis, who announced last fall he plans to resign when a new leader is selected.
Crosbie is the first person to publicly jump into the race, but when reached Wednesday, Mount Pearl North MHA Steve Kent told CBC News he is "keenly interested" in running.
Kent is waiting for the party to determine the timing and rules of a leadership race before making a final decision.
"There's a good possibility I will enter the race," said Kent, who ran unsuccessfully for the leadership in 2014.
No date has been set for a leadership vote, though Crosbie expects the earliest it might happen is this fall.
Crosbie counting on his family name
Crosbie is the son of John Crosbie, a former federal and provincial politician and lieutenant-governor, and his family name is well known in the business community going back generations.
Dwight Ball made a big mistake. He ran his campaign for election on the basis of denying reality. I'm not going to make that mistake.- Ches Crosbie
"I think there's a lot of good will built up. My father has a good name. My family has a good name. I hope I do as well. So none of that can hurt," said Crosbie, who has made a name for himself as a personal injury lawyer and for his work on several high-profile class action lawsuits.
Crosbie's first attempt at politics in 2015 was a rocky one, with then-prime minister Stephen Harper rejecting Crosbie's bid to run for the Conservative Party of Canada in the riding of Avalon.
Crosbie swore not to divulge details of why he was rejected, but offered the following explanation:
"It has everything to do with a perception in the Prime Minister's Office that I might have been too independent for their liking and spoken up about Newfoundland and Labrador issues when they would rather I have stayed quiet," Crosbie explained.
Crosbie describes himself as a fiscal conservative who's very progressive on social policy, and openly supports Michael Chong in his bid to lead the federal Conservative Party.
He believes his lack of political baggage will help in his quest to lead the province.
"The question that party members have to make their minds up about is do they think they need somebody as leader who has no connection with previous administrations, previous governments, who can come fresh to the task of implementing the policies that are needed for the future," he said.
"I think many people see it that way and I think I fit that bill."
Crosbie said he is politically motivated because "few feel confident about the future of the province, people are nervous and discontented about jobs and the economy."
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