Tory to stay on as Ontario PC leader

Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory announced late Saturday he wasstaying onat the party's helm, despite receiving alukewarm endorsementof his leadership from delegates earlier in the day.

Tory wonthe backing of just 66.8 per cent of delegates in a confidence vote held at the party's annual meeting in London, Ont. Of the 1,308 ballots cast, 874 voted against holding a review of Tory's leadership.

Toryhas been under fire froma number ofparty activists who believe his decision to propose full funding to religious schools cost the party the provincial election last October, which also left Tory without a seat in the legislature.

Immediately following the vote, a visibly tired Tory called the result at the party's annual meeting a "large majority," but said he need some time to reflect on what he would do next.

Three hours later, Tory emergedfrom a meeting with former Ontario premier Bill Davis and his family to announce that heplanned to stay on as leader.

Beforethe crucial vote,Tory urged party delegates not to give the governing Liberals an advantage by triggering a leadership review. He also took responsibility for the disastrous election results, whichgave Dalton McGuinty's Liberalsanother term inpower.

"I let our caucus and party down, and most of all, I let the people of Ontario down," Tory told the packed ballroom."For that, I am sorry. But more than that, you have my solemn promise that it won't happen again."

Toryalso pledged tokeep the religious schools funding issue off theparty's platform while he remained leader.

Tory 'deserves an opportunity': former premier

Some delegates expressed bitterness about the setup of the meeting, in particular the fact they weren't given a chance to openly debate Tory's leadership because they can't publicly question him until after the crucial vote on whether he should be subjected to a leadership review.

Former Ontario premier and PC leaderErnie Eves, who attended the meeting as a delegate, defended the man who succeeded him, saying he thinks Tory deserves another chance.

"He's a very hard-working guy and he's done a lot of good things," Eves said. "There will always be people in the party who aren't happy with the leader. I know that all too well from personal experience. I think he deserves an opportunity."

But Roland Willis, a Mississauga lawyer and delegate, said it was time for Tory to step aside.

"Please go away," Willis said. "Please don't bother our party anymore."