Conservative Party in for some soul-searching moving forward, say critics
Stephen Harper set the narrative on election night, ostensibly rejected for his controlling nature The defeat of the ruling Conservatives was really just about Stephen Harper's personality and style, not about policy. As Conservatives consider a way forward… is that good enough?
"Harper derangement syndrome is a real thing. There's a group of people in Canada who loathe the Prime Minister at a level that's almost a pathology. I think for some people, nothing in the platform for the other two candidates mattered... It was, who is best positioned to defeat Stephen Harper."- Kory Teneyke, Conservative Party spokesperson
Kory Teneyke was one of the main voices of the Conservative party throughout the past federal election campaign.
Following last week's vote, and the party's demotion to Official Opposition, the Conservatives may be looking for new voices... and a new tone.
"At the end of the day, I think our government got things right on substance. I think where we went wrong was tone. I think too often our tone wasn't sufficiently positive and optimistic, and I think that's what we really need to focus on as Conservatives."- Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence & Minister of Multiculturalism
It is understood that the party is at least beginning to look for a new leader. And that conversations are underway about just how much rebuilding, and repositioning is in order, as a new chapter in Canadian conservatism begins.
We hosted part of that conversation today, with three people well positioned to comment.
- Erin O'Toole was re-elected for the Conservatives in the Ontario riding of Durham.
- Candice Bergen was re-elected in the Manitoba riding of Portage-Lisgar for the Conservatives.
- Tasha Kheiridden is a columnist with the National Post and iPolitics.
This segment was produced by Vancouver's Network Producer Anne Penman and Ottawa's Network Producer Max Paris.