LGBTQ2S+ issues unlikely to repeat as spoiler in Tory leadership race, experts say
LGBTQ2S+ rights are not necessarily the biggest issue in the Conservative Party, experts say, and though the jury is still out on how some of the candidates will tackle LGBTQ2+ issues, others seem like they might do well and possibly win over a larger queer voter base. Asked what bearing LGBTQ2S+ issues might have on […]
Conservatives looking for a ‘tough leader’ to ‘fight fire with fire’: Q&A with Gerry Nicholls
Conservatives are looking for a tough leader and the party’s next contender for prime minister should demonstrate that he or she can “fight fire with fire” against the Liberals, says Conservative strategist Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times’ columnist joined executive editor Peter Mazereeuw, host of The Hot Room podcast, last week to offer his thoughts […]
Canadian political landscape could change dramatically by summer’s end
OTTAWA—By summer’s end, the Canadian political landscape could change dramatically. Ontario is into a provincial election in less than two months, smack in the middle of a national Conservative leadership race. Quebec must have an election by Oct. 3, and next month Alberta’s controversial premier faces an internal review which could plunge his party into […]
Poilievre and Brown ‘playing with dynamite’ in divisive Conservative leadership election, say politicos
The division in the Conservative leadership campaign, already on display, will make it a serious challenge for the eventual winner to bring the party together after the contest is over, say political players. “It’s pretty clear that there’s kind of a progressive element to it, and then there’s a more Conservative element to it,” said […]
Let’s get ready to rumble, Conservative race turns into a street fight
OTTAWA—It’s not as if we don’t have enough going on to consume our attention, but the Conservative leadership race might just warrant carving out some cognitive space. I will leave the analysis about what it may mean to the experts and concentrate on the more entertaining element of what it will be, which is a […]
Why political dilettantes have a path to power
OAKVILLE, ONT.—Globe and Mail columnist Andrew Coyne recently had blunt advice for federal Conservatives as they ponder choosing a new leader. He wrote: “Clown time is over. For much of the past decade, voters across the democratic world have indulged in the fantasy that they could elect, in essence, a bunch of clowns to lead […]
Climate policies could prove key ‘wedge’ in Conservative leadership race, say strategists
The race to determine the next Conservative Party leader could “hinge” on candidates’ climate policies, from carbon pricing and beyond, say strategists, with early front-runner Pierre Poilievre already on the anti-carbon tax offensive. “Climate change policy is going to be a bit of a litmus test … it’s important to voters to see the Conservative […]
New Tory leader needs to prioritize GTA region in next election to win, say former Conservative candidates
If the Conservatives want to form government after the next federal election, they will have to treat the 57 GTA ridings as a priority, and not as a “lost cause” like they did in recent general elections, says a group of influential GTA Conservative candidates from 2021. “The GTA candidates of record from the 2021 […]
Charest campaign yet again denies Harper is against former Quebec premier’s leadership campaign bid
Media reports continue to suggest that Stephen Harper will oppose Jean Charest’s Conservative leadership election bid, but a senior strategist for the former Quebec premier’s campaign strenuously denies the stories, arguing that the former prime minister will not influence the outcome of the leadership election. “I will believe it when I see it,” said Michael […]
Place your bets, it’s a real race, now
OTTAWA—It’s official. There really will be a race for the Conservative leadership. For political watchers from all sides, that is a good thing. We really will be able to witness the fight for the heart and soul of the Conservative Party. Frontrunner Pierre Poilievre has already laid down the ground rules. He represents a “back […]
