The provincial PC Party is holding their Annual General Meeting this weekend in Gander, but there will be no leadership review, at least for a few months.
Leader Ches Crosbie says they are heading into the weekend excited and ready to talk about the future. Some 200 PC’s will gather to deal with Party business, report on accomplishments, plan for the year ahead and the next election.
There is nothing in the party’s constitution to trigger leadership review following an election, but it’s something Crosbie says they need to consider.
He says since he ran for the leadership 18-months ago, and consistently during the general election, he has made it clear he is pro-democratic reform. Crosbie says it’s one of those things that a modern party constitution needs to have.
Crosbie says it is likely there would be a Spring meeting in one form or another regardless, so he is putting it on the agenda, so it’s something that can be given a hard look. He says it’s not an ordinary post-election party convention because with no majority, a change in government or a new election could come at any time, and they need to be ready.
Crosbie There to Do a Job, Not Provide “Superficial Charisma”
Meanwhile the PC Leader says he isn’t there just to stay in a job, he’s there to bring the party into power. If he see’s the writing on the wall, that it’s unlikely he can achieve that, Crosbie says he will let someone else see if they can do better.
Crosbie was questioned by reporters after calling for his own leadership review in Spring 2020. He says how the party performs between now and the Spring will determine how secure he feels in his job.
While Crosbie wouldn’t say if he felt like he was on the hot seat, he says the next six months will tell the tale. He says they can do the necessary work of reaching out and connecting with people, and they will see where things stand then. People will have the chance to mull it over, and evaluate performance both inside and outside the House.
Crosbie says he has the full confidence of his caucus, but they do point out that he may not be the most “charismatic” individual.
To that, he says the province does not need “frothy, superficial charisma.”
Crosbie says we’re in a situation where we need substance and the ability to come to grips with fundamental problems and overcome them.