ANDY WALKER: Premier launches political soap opera

P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz Photo by Stu Neatby /The GuardianArticle contentInstead of starting plans for its leadership convention, the governing Progressive Conservatives have launched their own political soap opera.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe first act played out with the appointment of Montague-Kilmuir MLA Cory Deagle as Minister of Housing, Land and Communities, following the resignation of veteran MLA Steven Myers. After Rob Lantz was chosen as premier and interim party leader following the surprise resignation of Dennis King in February, Deagle resigned his job as minister of economic development, innovation and trade to launch a bid for the party leadership.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentNow he has ended that quest and is urging Premier Rob Lantz to go for the job permanently. Deagle insists he wasn’t pressured to give up his campaign, but did tell reporters he had “frank discussions” with the premier. He also called Lantz a “decent person”, which probably fell a little short of the endorsement the premier may have been looking for.Article contentIf this whole scenario of whether Lantz wants the job permanently sounds familiar, that’s because it is. When the Charlottetown-Brighton MLA was appointed to the premier’s post the day after King resigned, he made it clear he was not after the post on a permanent basis and was essentially a caretaker premier.Article content Cory Deagle is sworn in as the new minister of housing, land and communities as Premier Rob Lantz stands behind him. Deagle also said he would be suspending his run for leadership of the Progressive Conservatives. Photo by Stu Neatby /The GuardianArticle contentWhile he is the interim PC leader, there is no such beast as an “interim premier.” It is a legislative office. While he was chosen by the party caucus and leadership, he can remain premier as long as he has the confidence of the majority of MLAs. Since the Tories have a majority government, in reality, that means he has to have the party’s backing.Article contentArticle contentAfter he was in office for several months, the premier indicated he had received a number of overtures from Islanders to consider running for premier and promised to take another look at the matter. After a few days, he again said no. That’s twice in six months if you are keeping count.Article contentThe political rumour mill now is alight with speculation he is considering a leadership bid yet again. There is now one candidate in the race, lawyer Mark Ledwell, and he has been campaigning for several months. There is currently no date set for a leadership convention.Article contentA convention call would force the premier’s hand as the party’s constitution requires an interim leader to step down either 180 days before a vote or within ten days of an announcement of the convention date in the event of a short leadership campaign.Article contentLantz was asked the question directly by reporters and was non-committal, saying he would decide on the matter when the party decided on a leadership convention. So put him down as a “maybe.”