Paul Davis 'not jumping up and down' over latest poll

Premier Paul Davis admits a new public opinion poll which shows eroding satisfaction with the governing Tories is hardly good news for his party, but says he is not deterred in trying to turn things around.

"I'm not jumping up and down," said Davis, responding to a theCorporate Research Associates poll that also showedhis own popularity fell a couple of points below that of former premier Tom Marshall.

• CRA poll: Tories lose in satisfaction, Liberals solidify lead

The CRA poll, the first to be released since Davis became premier in September, found that the Liberals had 60 per cent of the support of decided voters, just over double the 29 per cent that the Tories logged.

While more voters said they would pick the Tories than the last polling period three months ago, public satisfaction with the government's performance dropped 12 points to 50 per cent.

The poll covered a period when the PCs lost three consecutive byelections in seats that hadbeen held by front-bench cabinet ministers, including Marshall inHumber East.

"We've had our challenges with byelections, you know, and ever since I came in in September we cannot seem to catch a break at all," said Davis, adding that the plummeting price of oil has been compounding problems for the Tories.

"It's a hard time to come in as premier and as leader but we're committed to it, and we'll continue to do our work."

Liberals still on a roll

The CRA poll is the sixth straight result where the Liberals have held a clear lead over the competition.

LeaderDwight Ball, who also ranked first in voter preference of the three leaders, took care not to gloat about the results when he spoke with reporters Monday.

"We're pleased with the results of the polls," said Ball, who credited hard work from his team.

"We've put a lot of work into getting around this province in the last two or three years, and I think right now people are getting to know us a little better and they trust us more, I believe, and that's the result," he said.

"I don't take any credit for this."

Michael 'disappointed, obviously'

The poll presented more tough news for NDP Leader Lorraine Michael, who survived a caucus implosion in late 2013 but who has seen public support forher party and her own leadership drift away to other parties.

The NDP's support dropped from 15 per cent to 10 per cent, while Michael was the leader of preference forjust nine per cent of those asked.

"It's a difficult poll and we're disappointed, obviously," said Michael, adding that the NDP will focus on presenting its policies to voters.

"We have to help people see the strength of our party and we will be doing that. Our election planning committee is working hard, strategies are being put in place and we will continue doing that work."

CRA surveyed 800 adults between Nov. 5 and Nov. 30. The margin area for that sample size is 3.5 per cent, although some of the questions that CRA asked had a smaller sample and thus a wider margin of error.