In a move pollster calls ‘a direct challenge’ to O’Toole’s leadership, 15 to 30 Tory MPs and Senators starting new caucus to speak up for anti-vaxxers losing jobs
Erin O’Toole’s stance on COVID-19 vaccinations hurt the Conservative Party’s recent election campaign and remains a divisive internal issue as a group of 15 to 30 Conservative MPs and Senators is set to start a new intra-party caucus on Nov. 8 called the “Civil Liberties Caucus” that Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu says will speak up […]
O’Toole’s fundraising challenge
OAKVILLE, ONT.—When it comes to the “horse race” aspect of politics, pundits don’t just focus on who’s ahead and who’s behind in the latest public opinion polls. They also like to ruminate on who’s ahead and who’s behind in political party fundraising. And this could potentially be a public relations problem for Conservative Party Leader […]
Will O’Toole rethink his stance on carbon taxes?
OAKVILLE, ONT.—I wonder if Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole is thinking about backtracking his support for carbon taxes? That’s the question I pondered this past weekend after I had to negotiate a small bank loan so I could afford to fill up my car with gas. Okay, that’s just a joke, but gas prices are […]
‘Serial rotation’ of opposition leaders ‘unhealthy’ for parties, say political insiders
Erin O’Toole’s fate as Conservative leader is hanging in the balance after he failed to win power in the Sept. 20 election, but political insiders say the practice of changing party leaders after each unsuccessful election is “unhealthy.” Barring a disastrous performance in their first election, leaders should be allowed to lead their parties in […]
Conservatives have a serious problem, and it’s Erin O’Toole
Since Aug. 24, 2020, the Conservative Party of Canada has faced a serious problem. The problem, unfortunately for Erin O’Toole, is Erin O’Toole. Since O’Toole was chosen leader of the Conservatives, polling for the former chopper navigator has nosedived like a helicopter free falling out of the sky. Research indicates there is an urgency for […]
Thousands of expiring Conservative Party memberships this month throwing a wrench in nominations, say Conservatives
The thousands of Conservative Party memberships expiring this month are adding another layer of complexity in the nomination process as candidates are already facing an uphill battle to sign up new members in the midst of the ongoing pandemic, say Conservatives. “Everything’s more difficult in a pandemic, door-to-door knocking efforts to try to get support for the […]
O’Toole’s leadership election win strategy a lesson for all politicians of how not to do politics
Erin O’Toole’s come-from-behind victory in last year’s leadership election was a surprise for most, especially for the front-runner, Peter MacKay, and his supporters. When the leadership election process began, it looked like a coronation for Stephen Harper’s senior minister but, as the race progressed over the coming months, things started to change. Mr. O’Toole branding […]
How to benefit from electoral royal rumbles
OAKVILLE, ONT.—When it comes to formulating grand strategies, military planners always seek to avoid the nightmare of fighting a “two-front” war. Such is not the case, however, for political strategists, who, when concocting their electoral battle plans, are always ready, willing and able to wage war on multiple fronts against multiple opponents. Napoleon would probably […]
Has the wind finally gone out of the sails of conservative, populist politics?
HALIFAX—Has the wind finally gone out of the sails of conservative, populist politics? Here in Canada, Erin O’Toole’s leadership has taken the CPC backwards. Instead of making the tent bigger, as leadership candidate O’Toole promised, some of the existing members of the party are running for the exits. The CPC trails PM Justin Trudeau by […]
O’Toole and the problem of pessimistic conservatism
OAKVILLE, ONT.—A conservative friend recently texted me to ask if there’s any chance Stephen Harper will ever return as Conservative Party leader? When I replied that, in my opinion, the chances of that ever happening were next to nil, he responded by texting me a sad emoji face. Not a good sign for the Conservative […]
