Peter Costello might not want the Liberal leadership but according to the latest opinion poll, he certainly has the numbers.
The former treasurer has strong voter support to lead the Liberal Party, with the latest Newspoll showing his figures more than double that of current leader Brendan Nelson.
Mr Costello has 41 per cent support in the latest poll, Mr Nelson 18 per cent and Malcolm Turnbull 24 per cent.
Support for the high-profile Liberal backbencher has nearly doubled since December, when it was recorded at just 23 per cent, the poll published in The Australian newspaper shows.
Mr Costello has been the focus of continued leadership speculation, with senior Liberals reportedly wanting him to take over the top job to improve the coalition's flagging fortunes.
Mr Costello has been silent about his future since the coalition's election loss last year, when he said he would retire to the back bench and seek a career outside politics.
His silence has paradoxically led to speculation he would quit politics, or take over the Liberal leadership.
However, while voters would prefer him as leader, they say it would have little bearing on their voting intentions.
Only 23 per cent say a Costello-led opposition would change their vote, with 57 per cent saying it would make no difference.
But an overwhelming majority want him to stay on in federal politics, with 65 per cent hoping the member for Higgins sees out the full term.
On a two-party-preferred basis, Newspoll shows the Rudd government would trounce a Nelson-led opposition if the election was held.
Labor leads the coalition 57 to 43 on a two-party-preferred basis, with the opposition's primary vote slumping one point to 37 per cent.
Labor's primary vote rose four points from the last poll to 47 per cent - the highest since the election.
Dr Nelson's fortunes have again failed to improve, with only 14 per cent of voters saying he would make a better prime minister.
Kevin Rudd has a satisfaction rating of 58 per cent, with 66 per cent saying he makes a better PM.