I have eyes, ears near Williams, Hearn boasts

Federal Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn has thrown more fuel into an ongoing feud with Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams, with a claim that he has eyes and ears inside Williams's own government.

"There are times I'm sure I know as much as what's going on in cabinet and caucus or on the eighth floor as the premier does," said Hearn, referring to Williams's office in Confederation Building in St. John's.

"I always do. That's why we can always be one step ahead of him," Hearn said in a year-end interview with CBC News. "I have friends throughout cabinet and caucus."

Hearn, theMP for St. John's South-Mount Pearl, has been locked in a verbal battle with Williams for more than two years, and has suffered more than a few barbs from Williams over the federal government's handling of equalization and other issues.

Nonetheless, Hearn said he enjoys strong personal relationships with key provincial Progressive Conservatives, and says some not only support the federal Conservatives, but are considering a jump to the federal party for elected office.

"They do what they have to do and I don't blame them," said Hearn. "But given the choice, they are still there to help, support and run for us perhaps."

Williams infuriated federal Conservatives in 2006 when he suggested he was prepared to campaign against Prime Minister Stephen Harper when the federal Tories broke with a written promise Harper had made to exclude offshore oil revenues from a new equalization formula.

While Williams predicted only last spring that three federal Conservative MPs in Newfoundland and Labrador "are done," Williams has softened his rhetoric over the last month.

That hasn't stopped the sniping, though, between Williams and Hearn. Earlier this month, Hearn warned Williams that he would have to be "a good boy" to get anything from Santa— sparking an angry response from the premier. Chuckling during an interview with CBC News, Hearn said he probably ought to have avoided making the Santa remark.

Williams 'plays his own games'

Meanwhile, Hearn said Newfoundland and Labrador will see more federal dollars, but insists it has nothing to do with Williams offering an olive branch.

"I'm not very much concerned about what the premier says. The premier plays his own games, as you know," he said.

"However, if there are things that can be done for this province whether there's a gap or no gap, they will be done."

Hearn was coy about his own political future, as he has been for more than a year. Asked whether he will run again, he said, "Until I know when the election is coming, I'm not even going to think seriously about it."

Norm Doyle, the Conservative MP for St. John's East, announcedthis year he will not run again when a federal election is called.

The opening of at least one traditional Tory seat has sparked speculation about new candidates, including former provincial cabinet ministers Jack Byrne and Tom Osborne, both of whom were dropped from cabinet in October's shuffle.

Neither has ruled out a federal candidacy, and Hearn said both are names he would like to see on a ballot.