Liberal MPs prepare to face constituents this summer in the middle of a polling slump

As MPs prepare to return to their ridings for the summer, some Liberals are acknowledging that they may be facing unhappy constituents, while others insist they aren't focused on the party's grim poll numbers.

Ipsos, Angus Reid and Abacus all released surveys this week that suggest the opposition Conservatives have a 20-point lead over the governing party.

«We're swimming into the tide. It's tough,» P.E.I. MP Sean Casey told reporters on Parliament Hill on Wednesday.

«We're doing good things. It seems the electorate has tuned out.»

When asked if there is anything the Liberals can do to turn their polling fortunes around, Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan said «there's no magic formula.»

«Just work harder and just make sure you get the word out on the work that you are doing,» he said.

Casey said he plans to return to his riding for the summer and speak to constituents one-on-one in order to make the case for his party.

«It's frustrating when you're swimming into the tide, but that's a function of politics, that's life. I'm not going to work any less,» he said.

When asked what the Liberals could do to turn their polling numbers around over the summer, House leader Steve MacKinnon offered a gardening metaphor.

«We have to pick up our shovels and our picks and our hoes every day and go to work and deliver results for Canadians,» he said.

Quebec MP Anthony Housefather considered leaving the party earlier this spring over the caucus's support for an NDP motion on Palestinian statehood. He said he's prepared to push his personal candidacy in the next election.

«I'm going to be convincing my constituents they should still be voting for me. You vote for a person on the ballot, not the party,» he said when asked what he would be saying to