Conrad Black: Stephen Harper has 'run out of steam'

Controversial former newspaper owner Conrad Black says he fearsStephen Harper has "run out of steam."

Speaking on CBC News Network's Power & Politics, Black praised the prime minister for his competence, but said "I don't see anything original... it's starting to look like a government that likes to be the government but isn'treally animated by what it wants to do."

Black warned this may make the Conservative party vulnerable to the "it'stime for a change" argument.

Speaking to host Evan Solomon about his recentlypublished history of Canada, Rise to Greatness, Black alsosays he does not regret giving up his Canadian citizenship. But, he adds, he never intended to give it uppermanently.

"I will take it back. I've been interrupted for 10 years by this nonsense in the United Statesbut... I will apply to be a Canadian citizen again."

Black was convicted of fraud in the United States in 2007. In Canada, he caused controversy when he calledhis native country a "plain vanilla place."

In the interview with Solomon, he made a point of clarifying those earlierremarks. "I like vanilla as a flavour," Black said.

Watch the full interview with Conrad Black.