The stoush for the deputy leadership of the South Australian Liberal Party may have become a one-horse race.
Just two weeks after the party nearly toppled Labor at the state election, it was facing fresh turmoil with a fight for the deputy leadership.
Former Liberal leader Martin Hamilton-Smith won a ballot for the deputy's job last Tuesday, beating another former leader, Iain Evans, and opposition water spokesman Mitch Williams.
New vote expected
But a second vote was called for Tuesday morning, with Mr Hamilton-Smith and Mr Williams expected to face off again at a party room meeting.
However, it now appears that Mr Hamilton-Smith has changed his mind.
"I will not be standing," he told a News Limited website.
"I really feel it is beneath my dignity to stand tomorrow.
"I think the carriage of business by the Liberal Party over the past week has been unprofessional and lacking a sense of decency."
'Displeasure' over election
Current leader Isobel Redmond could barely conceal her displeasure at Mr Hamilton-Smith's victory last week.
Ms Redmond replaced Mr Hamilton-Smith as leader almost nine months ago, after he was found to have used fake documents in a botched bid to discredit the Labor government.
The second vote was called despite Ms Redmond having declared her support for democracy and the party's decision.
When it was put to Ms Redmond that Mr Hamilton-Smith was not her first choice as deputy, she replied: "That's true".
'Party has spoken'
"I always said it's a matter for the party room and the party room has spoken ... I've always said that I believe in democracy," she added.
No one from the Liberals was willing to speak on the record to AAP, but Mr Williams had confirmed he would run.
The ballot is set to take place in the opposition's party room at Parliament House at 9am (CST).
Ms Redmond is yet to announce her shadow cabinet.
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