The rejection of Erin O’Toole by his own parliamentary caucus is a humiliation nearly without precedent. Not even Joe Clark, heretofore the most hapless of federal leaders, was dispatched so. There are at least three lessons to take from the thumping O’Toole took from his caucus.
First, O’Toole forgot that he was a Conservative. Not small “c” conservative. Who knows — least of all O’Toole — exactly what his political philosophy is, whether conservative, liberal or otherwise?
The most hilarious aspect of his floundering these last days was a report that he was soliciting support from caucus members by suggesting that, if he survived, he would be willing to change some of the policies he campaigned on a few months ago. He apparently thought that the problem with his weathervane political views was that he was not spinning quickly enough. Now he has spun himself right out to the curb.
No, O’Toole forgot that he was a Conservative, capital “C.” That means in Canada being the opposition party, or at least it has meant that in the century since William Lyon Mackenzie King was elected in 1921. The Liberals remained effectively in power until 1957, with the exception of their wise decision to allow Conservative R.B. Bennett to hold office 1930-35 and take responsibility for the Great Depression. Since then there have been only four Conservative majorities split between Diefenbaker, Mulroney and Harper.
Conservatives in Canada start from a losing position and have the painstaking task of convincing a cohort here, seducing a segment there, slicing an unexpected sliver off the opponent in order to govern. All of that creative addition requires not subtracting from those already loyal. O’Toole’s approach was to attract minimal new voters by first maximally annoying his existing voters. In politics, as in life, it is hard to attract new friends if you treat your existing friends so shabbily.
[Interesting Read]
See Also:
(1) O’Toole ousted in open rebellion. Who dares be next?
(2) With O’Toole out, new Conservative leader will face ‘bloody tough job’ healing divided party
(3) Manitoba MP Candice Bergen chosen as interim Conservative leader
(4) And now for another hideously flawed Conservative leadership race
(5) O’Toole mistakenly tried to be everything to everybody
