PC Leader Paul Davis staying on through next election

PC Leader Paul Davis thinks he can win back government in the next election.

It was under his leadership that the PC Party lost power in November to the Liberals. At the time, Davis said he'd have to consider his future, but he told CBC News on Thursday that he'll stay on.

• Liberals see slight jump in latest polling, party tied for 1st place

"I have unfinished business to do, I believe I'm in a good position to lead our party into the next election, and I believe our party is in a good position, and working towards a good position to form government at the next opportunity," he said.

Davis cited broken promises and unpopular decisions made by the Liberals since their election as being largely behind his decision to stay on.

"We have a plan that we believe and I believe would have been in the best interest of the province and I want the opportunity to deliver on that plan," Davis said.

The latest CRA polling shows Davis is the most popular of the three leaders. The PC party is in a statistical tie with the other two parties.

Davis said when he took over the PC party and became premier two years ago he knew it would have taken "a miracle" for him to win the election, but now that people have seen decisions made by the Liberals he thinks voters will want him back.

"I speak to people on a daily basis who ask me to stay on, ask me to firm up my future, want me to continue to do the work that we're doing as a party," said Davis.

Since confederation no losing premier has ever stayed on and won back government.

Davis said the party is doing the work to prepare for the next election, including recruiting candidates, establishing district associations and policy.

'Important that I have the support of my party'

The PC party is meeting next month in Gander for its annual general meeting. Davis said there has been an anonymous letter circulating calling on him to step down. Unlike the Liberal party, the PC party constitution doesn't require a review of Davis's leadership, but he thinks it would be a good thing.

"I believe it's important for parties to have that discussion, and for me personally, it's important that I have the support of my party," he said.

He wouldn't say what level of support he'd need to stay on. While support of less than 50 per cent automatically triggers a leadership race, leaders usually look for larger show of support to stay on.

PC Party President Mark Whiffen says there is currently no leadership vote scheduled.

In order for one to happen, a motion would have to be received from a party delegate and seconded by another before September 21. That would put it on the agenda for the party to vote on during the October 22-23 convention.