Brown leads charge against Poilievre in French debate, but stakes highest for ‘combative’ Charest, say strategists
Conservative leadership candidate Jean Charest is widely regarded as having delivered the best performance of the night in a French-language debate on May 25 that saw the candidates go “literally five against one” in taking on perceived front-runner Pierre Poilievre, who used American-style tactics, say observers. But according to Yan Plante, a Conservative strategist who […]
Making the case for an unlikely comeback
OAKVILLE, ONT.—It’s crossed my mind that Jason Kenney’s decision to step down as leader of the United Conservative Party has set the stage for a miraculous political comeback. Am I talking about Danielle Smith or Brian Jean? Nope. I’m actually thinking more outside the box, way outside. What if Kenney was replaced by—are you ready […]
Poilievre using cryptocurrency to attract the disaffected, radicalized in Conservative race, say experts
The embrace of cryptocurrency by Pierre Poilievre, the presumed frontrunner in the Conservative leadership race, has been met with derision by his political opponents and other parties, but as a strategic political tool, cryptocurrency may serve a purpose for Poilievre’s campaign. In the first official Conservative debate on May 11, Brampton, Ont., mayor Patrick Brown […]
Charest’s campaign says it expects to raise more than $2-million in fundraising as leadership race could double party memberships
With less than two weeks left for Conservative leadership campaigns to sell new party memberships, former Quebec premier Jean Charest is touting his camp’s successes not just in recruitment but also in fundraising. “We are well on track to reach $2-million within the next two weeks,” the campaign’s director of communications, Michelle Coates Mather, told […]
Heated Conservative leadership race could cause ‘some bleed,’ but desire to win government will keep party united, say strategists
Amidst one of the most heated and divisive political leadership races in recent memory, Conservative strategists argue the party’s desire to win government in the next election could be enough to keep the party united, no matter the result—and no matter how ugly it might get along the way. “I think it’s been more personal […]
Conservative leadership: right versus evil, or right versus right?
CHELSEA, QUE.—In the chippy, content-light federal Conservative leadership race, there are two (at least) emerging puzzles. First, why isn’t the affable backbench Ontario MP, Scott Aitchison, leading the non-crazy contingent in the battle for the soul of the party? He is, unlike the rest of the field, demonstrably relatable. He speaks compellingly about the need […]
Internal party warfare can be fatal
OTTAWA—Internal party warfare can be fatal. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney eked out a bare majority in a party vote on his leadership, only to be forced out by advisers’ pressure. Kenney’s departure was unexpected as he had gathered together a group of key supporters for what was expected to be a victory celebration. Days before […]
Liberal-NDP alliance could have a profound impact on Conservative leadership race
TORONTO—The somewhat unexpected Liberal-New Democratic Party alliance might have a profound impact on the federal Tory leadership race. First, it will advantage those contenders who are sitting MPs, as they will not have to rely on a sitting member to resign, so they can run to enter Parliament in a by-election—or, even worse, actually wait […]
Poilievre’s YouTube channel a way to talk directly to voters, but the platform may build ‘deeper popularity in a smaller group’
Pierre Poilievre’s heavy use of online video on platforms like YouTube is part of a “bottom-up approach” that the perceived Conservative leadership front-runner is using in his campaign, in contrast to the “very top-down approach” taken by several of his rivals, says a researcher who studies social media use by Canadian politicians. Aengus Bridgman, a […]
It’s time for Poilievre’s caucus supporters to speak out
OTTAWA—Believe you me, I would really like to write about something other than the Conservative leadership race. I can pick any topic I want to discuss; there are no editorial boundaries placed upon me. The Hill Times is a gatekeeper-free environment. Boogie men and women aren’t everywhere looking to stymie thoughts or incarcerate speech. Arguably, […]
