WINNIPEG — In the end, Brian Pallister decided he liked things just the way they are. After a two-week tour of southern Manitoba to gauge support for a potential bid to lead the Manitoba Conservatives, the MP from Portage-Lisgar told supporters Friday he is returning to Ottawa.

His decision leaves the provincial party still searching for its first candidate for the April 29 leadership convention to replace outgoing leader Stuart Murray.

Pallister, who was perceived by many to be a front-runner, said the decision was the most difficult he and his wife have ever made.

But he has no regrets.

"The major thing we wanted to consider was where we could do the most good," Pallister said following a private luncheon in Portage la Prairie.

"I believe the decision we've made will result in me being able to make the greatest contribution to Manitoba's future well-being."

Pallister was re-elected in the Jan. 23 election. Almost immediately after, however, he began talking openly about returning to the provincial fold he left 10 years ago as a cabinet minister under former premier Gary Filmon.

He talked about his plans with Prime Minister Stephen Harper before he named his cabinet and described his leader as "nothing but encouraging and a gentleman."

Political scientist Paul Thomas suggests Pallister may have been caught off guard by some of the negative reaction to his road show from party faithful.

"He probably underestimated how cynical people are about politicians' switching parties or deciding they don't want to serve after being elected," said Thomas, who teaches at the University of Manitoba.

Thomas said money and power were also likely strong motivating factors to stay in Ottawa.

Pallister would be taking about a $50,000 pay cut from his MP's salary to lead the provincial Opposition, and there's nothing in the wind to suggest Manitobans want to replace NDP Premier Gary Doer.

"You had to ask yourself what would you be running for?" said Thomas. "You'd be running to be leader of the Opposition for at least the remainder of this term and perhaps another unless you could get them on the run on some issue."

Pallister acknowledged some of his constituents encouraged him to finish the job he started.

But he insists he wasn't afraid of a tough political fight.

"Mr. Doer is inexplicably popular, but there's no particular reason for that and I would have loved the challenge to prove that and to convince Manitobans there's need for change."

Instead, Pallister said he'll enjoy working on the federal files he's passionate about, such as infrastructure funding, aboriginal issues and agriculture.

With Pallister out of the picture, the spotlight shifts to Hugh McFadyen, a longtime party insider who was recently elected to the legislature.

McFadyen said he's still weighing his options and will announce his decision by the end of next week.

"My decision won't be based on whether I can win, but on whether I can contribute something to the race," said McFadyen.

"It is a transition to go from the background work to the front of the cameras, but I think I've been around long enough to know what constitutes good leadership."